half Helen Blog

Dear hH Friends, 

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. We don’t buy gifts, light fireworks, or hide eggs. It’s name says it all – give thanks! With that in mind, I want to give thanks for a few significant blessings.

I believe that it takes a village to help children see clearly. hH is a collection of exceptional people, from the Board of Directors to our dedicated staff. This fall we welcomed UT-Austin pre-optometry student Kelsey Joe to run our optical lab and she became a vital member of the screening program. Peter Walter is well into year two at hH, complete with his wonderful nature and kindness towards our littlest patients. With five years at hH Carissa Stengel transformed hH’s presence online and through social media, making it easy to discover our mission. Dick Moeller has taken hH’s mobile app, swift Screen, and introduced the platform to customers around the state. Lastly, I can’t imagine 2020 without our Director of Development Meghan Jones. Fundraising amid Covid-19 is no easy feat. Despite challenges, Meghan has worked tirelessly to develop and cultivate donor relationships that have resulted in funding for hH’s first mobile vision clinic! I am blessed to work alongside a profound team. 

As the leader, I spent many nights worried about how our screeners would visit school after school and screen 100+ scholars each day, all while keeping everyone safe. Between hH’s protocols and those of our school partners (Austin Achieve Public Schools, IDEA Public Schools, NYOS Charter Schools, and Montessori for All) we safely screened 1,802 scholars!

Finally, I’m thankful for you and your faith in half Helen. Helping children see clearly is my purpose in life, and your support makes it happen. On behalf of the hH team, I encourage you to take a moment and give thanks for the blessings in your life.

Chelsea Elliott