Eye Ball 2024
About the Eye Ball
Step back in time to the vibrant and electrifying era of the 80s with “Eye Ball 2024: Optical Rewind – Back to the 80s.” This totally awesome event dedicated to raising funds for LWVI Foundation, will take place on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Armature Works. Immerse yourself in a nostalgic journey filled with the iconic sights and sounds of the 80s. The event promises an exhilarating night featuring a live and silent auction, seated dinner, cocktail reception, exhilarating performance from Duo Transcend, and an opportunity to dance the night away. Last year’s tickets were a sell-out hit, so be sure to secure your spot early for this much-anticipated event. So, grab your tickets, dress up in your 80s best, and get ready for an evening of nostalgia, excitement, and awe-inspiring entertainment. This is your chance to be part of a night that promises not only a trip down memory lane but also a meaningful contribution to a great cause. Get ready to rock the retro!
The funds generated by LWVI Foundation continue to provide invaluable sight-saving resources, benefiting our local community and reaching around the globe through a variety of programs, including cutting-edge ocular research, vision restoration, surgeon training, pediatric eye care, and vision screenings, among others.
For more information or inquiries, please reach out to Meg Carlone, Foundation Manager, at Meg.Carlone@LWVI.org or (813) 289-1200 Ext. 715.
View this year’s sponsorship packet.
Presenting Duo Transcend
Duo Transcend, comprised of the incredibly talented Mary Ellen Wolfe-Nielsen and Tyce Nielsen, have captivated audiences worldwide with their breathtaking acrobatics and daring aerial feats. Their journey to fame escalated when they reached the top 10 in America’s Got Talent in 2018, showcasing not just their skills but a remarkable story of resilience and courage. Tyce, overcoming the challenge of being legally blind in his right eye due to a progressive eye disease, embodies the spirit of determination and triumph. This personal connection to visual impairment brings an added layer of significance to their performance at the Eye Ball 2024. Their experiences resonate deeply with the mission of the Institute, which focuses on vision health and support for those with visual impairments. Tyce’s journey, including a cornea transplant, highlights the transformative impact of vision care and the hope it brings to individuals facing similar challenges. Their presence at Eye Ball 2024 is more than a performance; it’s a powerful testament to the human spirit and the critical importance of vision health initiatives.
The Eye Ball Archives
See all the fun that we have had at past Eye Ball events!
2023 Eye Ball: Celebrating 50 Years
Eye Ball 2023: Celebrating 50 Years, Lions World Vision Institute Foundation’s annual fundraising event, achieved resounding success at Armature Works in Tampa, Florida, marking 50 years of delivering sight to over 500,000 individuals with its largest fundraising event since its inception. Funds continue to support sight-saving resources locally and globally through various programs. Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, our 2023 Person of Vision, inspired with her remarkable contributions, particularly in championing vision correction for children. Thank you to the over 400 attendees who joined us in raising over $375,000 to support sight-saving programs. More information and photos can be found at EyeBall23.org.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
2022 Eye Ball: It’s So Good to See You Again
Thank you so much to all who supported The Eye Ball 2022: It’s So Good to See You Again on Saturday, September 10, 2022, at the Tampa Marriott Water Street. Together, we were able to raise over $220,000 to elevate standards in sight restoration, tissue transplantation, research, and education. These funds help us ensure the 1 in 4 children in Tampa Bay who experience an undiagnosed vision problem get the help that they need through our Vision Health Programs. We are overjoyed at this achievement and grateful for the commitment of our community. More information and photos can be found at EyeBall22.org.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Thank you to DigiBooths for sponsoring our selfie booth!
2021: Home for the Holidays
Buy Local. Give Local.
The 2021 Eye Ball brought us Home for the Holidays for a night of seasonal celebrations to raise funds in support of children’s vision health. The gala was held at Lions World Vision Institute for Transplant & Research’s Ybor City headquarters and featured a tour of the Institute, a picture opportunity with the Vince Lombardi Trophy, a tour of the Glazer Vision Foundation’s Mobile Vision Clinic, and a holiday market filled with the best shopping from locally owned businesses.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
Gayle Guardo |Bouchard Insurance | Dr. Cheyenne Currall
Dr. David Ammar and Dr. Karen King | Marcia Gosline | MercuryWorks | MNX Global Logistics
Moria | PPK | Rays Baseball Foundation & Rowdies Soccer Fund
2020
Each year, the Eye Ball presents a different mission-centric theme that provides an unforgettable guest experience.
The 2020 Eye Ball was our first entirely virtual gala! The event featured a #LiftUpLocal theme that supported local businesses who have supported Lions World Vision Institute Foundation in the past as well as our mission to restore sight. Each household that participated received a curated #LiftUpLocal Experience Box filled with specialty items such as spices, bath salts, a candle, a Tarpon Springs natural sponge and many more.
2019
See and Be Seen, It’s Fashionable to Care
The 2019 Eye Ball was a fashion-themed gala and a war between the famous Houses of Fashion: Louis Vision, Versacheye, Perry Iris, and Oscar de la Retina. The event culminated in a fashion show featuring visually impaired models.
Memorable Moments
Our Light of Sight Award was presented to Bryan Manning and Bradford Manning, the brothers behind the cause-based fashion company, Two Blind Brothers.
Special guest, Takeeya Woods and her family joined us at the Eye Ball. Takeeya had received her cornea transplant in August of that year.
2018
An Optical Illusion
At the 2018 Eye Ball we explored the concept that things are not always as they seem. When it comes to protecting your precious gift of sight, sometimes it is easy to miss early signs of declining vision and eye disease. The event was also a celebration of our 45th anniversary of providing the gift of sight.
Justin Sight, a legally blind street magician, flew in from New York and delighted guests with his illusions.
Memorable Moments
During the Eye Ball we highlighted our partnership with Dr. Herbert Knauf and our mission trip to Honduras. Through our Gratis Tissue Program we provided ocular tissue at no cost to 20 patients who had their sight restored.
2017
A Gala with International Vision
The 2017 Eye Ball was an international themed gala that included culturally diverse food, performers, music, and more. DJ Ravi Drums, an internationally renowned percussionist based in Los Angeles, flew to Tampa to entertain guests on his innovative drum rig.
Memorable Moments
Our Light of Sight Award
Our Light of Sight Award was presented to Stuart Sternberg, Principal Owner of the Tampa Bay Rays, and our Innovation and Research Award was presented to Dr. Benjamin Lambright, who two years later became our Medical Director after our long-time MD retired.
Dr. Benjamin Lambright receiving his Innovation and Research Award. Also pictured, Kimberly Murray and Jason K. Woody.
Story of Romina
We also shared the story of Romina and the work of Dr. Cesar Gomezperalta.