Eye Doctors Take the Runway for Nonprofit Charity Gala

Press release from last years event!

ATLANTA, GA MAY 11–On April 30, vision hit the runway in support of the Lighthouse Foundation, Georgia’s foremost vision and hearing care nonprofit.

Over 400 attendees packed the event at Mason Murer Art Gallery. Grossing $156,000+ for Georgia’s uninsured, Night of Spectacles 2011 wowed guests with a juried runway show, silent auction, and celebrity doctor models from the Lighthouse’s partner medical providers. The event was presented by Georgia Retina of metro-Atlanta and chaired by Georgia Retina physician Jay Stallman, M.D., and his wife, Jane.

As an annual fundraiser for the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation, the Night of Spectacles raises money for thousands of uninsured Georgians who receive sight-saving eye surgeries, eye glasses and eye exams from the Lighthouse every year. While the event always features a scholarship challenge for student-designed dresses made from recycled eyeglasses, this year was the first in which optometrist and ophthalmologists took the stage as runway models. All models’ hair and makeup was provided by Balance Salon Services. Doctors from Georgia Retina, Emory Eye Center, Thomas Eye Group, Georgia Eye Partners, and more walked the catwalk to the cheers of their fellow doctors and other Lighthouse supporters.

Local celebrity judges picked the winning dress, designed by Christian Caldwell of the Savannah College of Art and Design. A jewelry design competition was also introduced this year, challenging 17 SCAD students to design rings, earrings, bracelets, bangles, and more from recycled glasses. The winners from both competitions received $1,000 scholarships from the Lighthouse.

In addition to the jewelry and fashion contests, the event offered over 200 silent auction items, as well as a live auction with highlights such as an African photo safari, Italian villa getaways, and a walk-on role for Drop Dead Diva. Generous in-kind donations from companies such as Alternative Apparel, Jezebel Magazine, National Distributing Company, and Bold American Catering made for a fabulous night filled with good food, good company, and a worthwhile cause.

The Lighthouse relies on the support of many sponsors, medical partners, and volunteers to provide services to the uninsured throughout Georgia. In 2010, the organization provided over 3,000 eye exams and 2,200 pairs of eyeglasses at 17 statewide clinics, 317 eye surgeries, and 1,810 hearing aids. Responding to sharp increases in demand, the Lighthouse moved to a new facility last January, with expanded clinic capacity and an optical lab.

The Lighthouse thanks all of its sponsors and supporters. Mark your calendars for Night of Spectacles 2012 as the event becomes bigger, brighter, and more fabulous than ever!

2011 Night of Spectacles Photo Gallery