2023 VHP MISSION

March 18, 2023

Dear Ones,

It is with a heart full of love for each of you that I send this message.

The mission of 2023 was a great gathering of beautiful people coming together to meet more beautiful people in sharing a gift of giving and receiving in the great circle of life. 

As Dr. Alexander Hatsis so eloquently put it at our last dinner together – since not all were there, I would like to share the thought of “What if”.

“What if you had not come”.  There were 1,580 people that came seeking some kind of help, what if there had not been volunteers to register and create a chart to bring them in or make sure all the equipment was set up and working.  What if there had not been a room full of volunteers to help  check their vision, get a pair of eyeglasses to help them see, or a team of Doctors to give them an exam to see if they could be helped with surgery or a procedure,  a team to assess their overall health and give them diabetic, hypertension or dermatological care and meds to last them all year.  What if there was no one that could have given anesthesia, removed a cataract, or straightened a wandering eye to help restore sight in that eye, or remove a tumor, or fix a mispositioned lid or do an orbital surgery to remove a problematic eye and receive a prosthetic that would make them feel and look better. What if the pre-op or post-op care was not there -----

We saw 1,580 patients, there were 352 surgeries, there were 83 volunteers that said “YES, it is I that will come”.   I know that you could sense the enormity of what was accomplished in one short week.  There is not a thank you that is good enough to share the feeling of gratitude felt.   May you carry the knowing of your power, wisdom, and your love in your heart as each of you have given your gifts so willingly.

This mission was a gather of wonderful souls – I was not the only one that perceived this!!

May God bless you and your dear ones,

Darlene Della Rocca

WELCOME TO VHP MISSION 2023

Dear VHP family and friends: We have weathered through another eventful year 2022, both in our country and the world as a whole. It should teach us a lesson that there are those in the world far less fortunate than we are. It is easy to forget those underserved communities as we rest in the comforts of our homes with our loved ones. It is now time to do what we can for those less fortunate and in need. The VHP board has been tirelessly working on the next mission for the past year. Thanks to Darlene, Christine and the other team members, the packing and shipping of a multitude of boxes of supplies has finally been completed and sent on their way to ILAC in the DR. It could not have happened without their tireless, unselfish and heroic efforts.

The number of volunteers for our next mission appears to have reached its limit. There still is much to be done as far as coordination of travel arrangements with ILAC and living arrangements at ILAC. Please check the BLOG from time to time for any updates.

VHP Board

PREPARING FOR THE NEXT ADVENTURE

Dear VHP family and friends,

For the first time since the start of the VHP’s eye mission adventure in 1995, we could not run the 2021 mission to the DR, due to Covid. Our patients have now waited 2 years for the chance to receive eye care.

This year also found us having to say a sad good-by to our co- founder, Dr. Robert Della Rocca, who passed in February of 2021. He was a beloved leader and strong influence in developing the mission we have today. The outpouring of love and testimonies to this man’s greatness was a tremendous comfort during a very challenging time.

As the situation with the virus has improved, we are trilled to announce that there will be a VHP eye mission March 4-11, 2023. It is very exciting that most of the core group of volunteers have signed up for Mission. Our cataract team will be joined by several new surgeons and technicians. A second optometrist will be joining our screening and eyeglass distribution team. Mission 2023 will also provide Ocular Plastics surgeries thanks to Dr. David Della Rocca and Darlene Della Rocca.

Our host, ILAC and Dominican Republic has done a great job of vaccinating its population against Covid. All patients coming into the mission will have been vaccinated and carefully screened. We are asking that all our volunteers be vaccinated to participate in the mission as well.

Currently, the Mission Coordination Team is working diligently to gather all the medical /surgical supplies needed. Next will be the packing of supplies in boxes to send off the container to the DR. We are also gathering documents from our Volunteers that are required by the Dominican authorities.

We are looking forward to the launch of this mission and wish all the members of our extended VHP family and all those that help us do what we do, a delicious and heartwarming Thanksgiving!

Blessings to all,

Darlene Della Rocca and the VHP Board.

A Letter to Our Volunteers

Dear Volunteers,

Robert and I want to again thank each of you on behalf of all of those you served this past March 2020 at the VHP Mission. It is beautiful to witness the outpouring of talent,compassion, dedication and hard work that you bring to the mission. The gift you have given them is beyond measure, for that I hope your heart will be full of the love and appreciation that is sent your way. 

What we do is not to be measured in numbers, but just to let you know what is reported on our not-for-profit, tax material, here they are.

We feel so blessed to know each of you and are extremely thankful, as are the patients of course, for your generous help. 

For those who did not attend, the Cycle for Sight fund raising ride was successfully held on Saturday, July 13th. We had an excellent turnout. You didn’t have to ride unless you wanted to. A picnic followed at noon at the same place as last year (Murdock's Home). More details regarding the next event will follow. 

Sending love and wishing each of you the very best. 

Gratefully Yours,

Robert and Darlene Della Rocca