The Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration hosted another hugely successful Spring Benefit on April 1, 2009 at the Union League Club in Manhattan. In addition to the delightful selection of wines for tasting and other wines and gift items available for bid in the silent auction, the emphasis of this year’s special evening, “A Live Auction and Wine Tasting,” shifted toward an exciting live auction led by a professional auctioneer. Attendees got to raise their paddles in bids for items ranging from premium vacations and rare vintage wines to rounds of golf at exclusive clubs and tickets to Broadway shows.

The honorary chairs of this year’s benefit were The Williams Family --- actress Vanessa Williams, her brother Chris Williams who is also an actor, and their mother Helen Williams. The Benefit Committee Chairs, Michael Zambrelli and Dr. Kimberly Sippel, representing The Eye-Bank’s Board of Directors and Medical Advisory Board, were joined at the podium by Mrs. Helen Williams who reminded the audience of the importance of eye donation and the good that it can do for others.

The Williamses made a tremendous impact on eye donation this year by sharing the fact that their dad, Milton Williams, was an eye donor and encouraging others to enroll in the New York State Donate Life Registry in The Eye-Bank’s advertising campaign conducted in media throughout New York City. This year, the Spring Benefit raised over $87,000, the proceeds of which go toward funding much of The Eye-Bank’s public and professional education efforts including portions of the media campaign.

The Eye-Bank is grateful to all who donated the many wonderful items to this year’s fundraiser and is especially thankful for the fine wines made available for tasting by Bayfield Importing Limited; Dancing Bear Cellars, LLC; Martin Scott Wines; Vias Imports Limited and W.J. Deutsch & Sons, Limited. Special recognition goes to Bayfield Importing, Martin Scott and W.J. Deutsch who have joined this event annually for the past several years.

Lastly, The Eye-Bank thanks all those who attended for their enthusiastic support of this year’s “A Live Auction and Wine Tasting.” Their generous contributions will greatly help The Eye-Bank in its ongoing mission to restore sight to those in need.