We’re BIG on Giving Back!

Dr. Heavin Maier and Eyes For Life are committed to making a difference and giving back, both in the local community and worldwide.

Every year since 2011 Eyes For Life has donated 10% of our profits to charity organizations, by utilizing feedback from you!

For 2020, each staff member has researched and chosen a charity that they are most passionate about. At your appointment we ask that you vote for which charity you would like Eyes For Life to contribute to. Each vote gives that charity a $1 donation from Eyes For Life, with a minimum donation for each charity guaranteed. Read about the charities we care about below!

Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery – Keeping Kids Safe

Vanessa Behan provides safety for children, strengthens families and creates a healthier community in an environment of unconditional love.

“I nominated Vanessa Behan Crisis nursery because I love what they do. Vanessa Behan is a crisis nursery here in Spokane which was founded to protect kids and support families in our community. They provide 24-hour child care, parent education, crisis counseling and referrals. A team of volunteers and staff are what makes this nursery so special. They have recently moved into a larger facility which means they will be able to open their doors to more children.” – Natalie, Eyes For Life Technician 

Deer Park Ambulance  –  Dedicated to our community, our personnel, our profession

As a volunteer corporation, Deer Park Volunteer Ambulance will provide highly professional, medical patient care and transport for the community we serve. We will respond to each incident demonstrating respect, compassion, competence, collaboration and social justice.

“I have been volunteering as DPVA for the past 3 years. I chose this non-profit because they provide emergency and non-emergency medical care to undeserved, rural communities. DPVA provides care for over 630 square miles in north Spokane and responds to over 4,000 calls per year! Despite being run by volunteers, DPVA operates with the highest level of compassion and professionalism. All donations received go towards providing newer, more efficient equipment and also toward training for our volunteers.” – Brianna, Eyes For Life Technician

International Justice Mission – Every person deserves to be free from violence

IJM works to protect the poor from violence by rescuing victims, bringing the criminals to justice, restoring survivors to safety and strength, and helping local law enforcement build a safe future that lasts. Our long-term vision is to rescue millions, protect half a billion and make justice for the poor unstoppable.

“I chose International Justice Mission because slavery and human trafficking still exist today. There are more children, women and men trapped in slavery than ever before in human history. People are beaten, raped and starved for the profit of others around the world. By supporting IJM we can end slavery in our lifetime. Slavery is a multi-million dollar industry. It exists because oppressors can freely abuse vulnerable people without fear of punishment. IJM will partner with local law enforcement and justice systems to end it – for good.” – Faith,  Eyes For Life Receptionist

Wishing Star Foundation – Where the wish is only the beginning

Wishing Star Foundation fosters hope, community and lasting memories by granting wishes for children with terminal, life-threatening or medically complicated conditions and supporting their families beyond the wish.

“The Wishing Star Foundation is important to me because I love seeing and making people happy. Also, being able to help others fulfill their dreams is something I’m passionate about. Wishing Star Foundation grants wishes to children, ages three to twenty one, with terminal, life threatening or medically complicated conditions.” – Hannah, Eyes For Life Technician

Vitalant – Transform a life, and your own. Give Blood

Vitalant (formerly Inland Northwest Blood Center) exists to make a difference in people’s lives by bringing together the best people, inspiring individuals to donate blood, producing a safe and ample blood supply, advancing cutting edge research and embracing continuous quality improvement.

“I believe in donating not only money, but also blood to help aid children and adults in getting the blood supply they need to stay healthy and alive. Money donations go toward research for blood safety and to provide the necessary resources for the donors to be health to continue to donate much needed blood.” –  Angela, Eyes For Life Technician

Love 11 – Help Micah’s spirit live on

The Micah Daniel Love Foundation “Love 11” is a foundation with a mission to reach at risk and economically disadvantaged youth through sports and local activity programs.

“Love 11 helps pay for sports for kids that could otherwise not be able to afford it. They have helped several family member play sports during difficult times. That keeps kids out of trouble and active. The charity is in memory of a sports loving young boy who was killed in an accident.” Rachel, Eyes For Life Technician

Free Rein – Therapeutic Riding

Our mission is to serve the community by strengthening the spirits, minds and bodies of children and adults through interaction with horses.

“I chose Free Reign Therapeutic Riding. They are dedicated to providing health, hope and happiness for children and adults with disabilities, through equine-assisted therapy. In 2013, they grouped with the wounded warrior project to provide a program for wounded veterans. They offer a variety of programs including summer camps that work with other local groups.They have a herd of horses that have previous careers, either someone’s companion or as competition horses, that they maintain and feed.” – Emily, Eyes For Life Optician

American Childhood Cancer Organization – Because kids can’t fight cancer alone

To educate, support, serve and advocate for families of children with cancer, survivors of childhood cancer, and the professionals who care for them. We serve all children diagnosed with cancer from Eastern Washington and those traveling to Spokane, Washington from North Idaho and Western Montana for treatment. Funds raised locally remain in our communities to help children with cancer in the Inland Northwest.

“I believe every child deserves the very best care we can give them. This organization gives kids more of a fighting chance to cope with everything.” -Chloe, Eyes For Life Technician

Ronald McDonald House Charities – Keeping families with sick children together & near the care & resources they need

The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families. A world where all children have access to medical care, and their families are supported and actively involved in their children’s care.

“Ronald McDoncald House Charities of the Inland Northwest provide temporary lodging, comfort, and support for famlies with critically ill or injured children accessing medical services in Spokane. They also support efforts to improve children’s health.”  – Mallory, Eyes For Life Optician 

The Isaac Foundation – Providing support and advocacy for patients and families coping with rare diseases

Enhancing the lives of your friends and family touched by autism through educational, emotional and financial support programs.

“I chose to nominate the Isaac Foundation because I have a family friend who has two daughters, both of whom have autism. The Isaac Foundation has directly impacted the lives of these girls by giving them weighted blankets and therapy equipment.”  – Megan, Eyes For Life Optician

Union Gospel Mission – Reaching the poor with the love and power of the gospel

Partnering with the Inland Northwest to reach the poor with the love and power of the gospel so they may become God-dependent, contributing members of society.

“My favorite charity is Union Gospel Mission (UGM). They do so much more than provide comfortable beds, delicious food, clean clothing and training in a new field. They help people get over addictions. They have a success rate over 90%. Since most people are addicts or mentally ill. I see UGM as the best available way to get homeless people off the street and out from under the bridges. The fastest growing group of homeless people are women and children; UGM just built new haven in Coeur D’Alene for this group. They gave a staff member’s sister a new life and helped her get her kids back after having lost them to the use of drugs.” – Sharron, Eyes For Life Office Assistant

SNAP – Neighbors by your side

Our mission is to increase the human potential of our community by providing opportunities for people in need. The largest private human-service agency in Spokane county. SNAP’s staff focus on serving the whole family with a commitment to providing a wide-range of accessible services for those living in poverty.

“I chose SNAP because it empowers people in poverty to help themselves improve their lives. SNAP provides critical financial education, including credit building workshops, while providing the tools, funding, short-tern housing, and energy assistance needed to help people transition from crisis to stability. I believe their philosophy of “a hand-up goes further than a handout.” – Dr. Kellen Robertson, Eyes For Life Optometrist

Artisans – Employment support services

Artisans is a non-profit agency providing services necessary for individual job development, employment support and employment opportunities in the community for persons with disabilities.

“Having previously worked a Artisans, I had an eye opening experience at what struggles people with intellectual and physical disabilities have wanting to do all the things we take for granted. I learned how to provide hands-on training to ensure a good fit between each client and employer for each client’s success. I had the joy of witnessing first-hand the pure delight in a job well done. Artisans’ ability to meet the needs of their clients, innovative job development techniques, and board members and staff is unsurpassed.” – Heather, Eyes For Life Practice Administrator 

2019 Charity Donation Recipients –

USA for UNHCR (The United Nations High Commision on Refugees)

Optometry Giving Sight

Lutheran Community Services

Double J Dog Ranch

Union Gospel Mission

A Cup of Cool Water

Vorpahl Wings

Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery

Feed My Starving Children

American Red Cross

Journey to Bethlehem

Spokane Area Youth Choir

The Jonah Project

Pioneer School

Deer Park Volunteer Ambulance

Joya Child and Family Develoment (Formerly Spokane Guild School)

Providence Health Care Foundation

Dishman Hills Conservatory

Christ Kitchen

The Oaks Classical Christian School

SCRAPS

Doctors Without Borders