CELEBRATION
Annually, Sight Savers America holds a special celebration that brings together a comprehensive representation of Alabama’s eye care community, as well as corporate and community leaders across Alabama. This event raises awareness of the work of Sight Savers America and honors the recipient of our Hall W. Thompson Hero for Sight Award. The event also raises funds to support our mission of identifying and securing the eye care needs of children, from their first pair of eyeglasses to extensive sight-saving treatment including eye surgeries and high-tech vision aids for those with severe visual impairment. This annual award is presented to an individual or organization whose impact on children’s eye care has been both lasting and profound.
The inaugural year for the Sight Savers America Hero for Sight Event was 2014. Our 2027 celebration will take place at The Club in Birmingham, AL on the evening of Tuesday, May 11, 2027.
Click here for sponsorship information – https://sightsaversamerica.org/sponsorship-information/
Hero for Sight Award Recipients & Artists are listed below:
2026 – Drs. Alston & Michael Callahan 
Artist: Shellyann Siddoo
2025 – Jeffery L. Haddox, Founder, Sight Savers America Artist: Ricky Trione
2024 – Martin S. Cogen, MD, Professor, UAB Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Artist: Krista Webb
2023 – John Mascia, Au.D., President, Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind Artist: John Bramblitt
2022 – Dawn K. DeCarlo, OD, PhD, Director, UAB Center for Low Vision Rehabilitation Artist: Robert Steinem
2021 – William “Bill” Burrus, Chairman of the Board, Sight Savers America Artist: Mary Dignan-Rosten
2020 – Torrey DeKeyser, Executive Director, EyeSight Foundation of Alabama Artist: Mary Dignan-Rosten
2019 – Dr. Kathy Weise, Director of Pediatric Optometry, UAB School of Optometry Artist: John Bramblitt
2018 – Edwina Taylor, Executive Director, Cahaba Valley Health Care Artist: Ricky Trione
2017 – Doyce Williams, President & CEO, Alabama Eye Bank Artist: George Mendoza
2016 – Monday Morning Quarterback Club & Quarterbacking Children’s Health Foundation Artist: Amy Monthei
2015 – Hartwell Davis, Jr. Artist: Allan Eddy
2014 – Songs for Sight Artist: Jeff Hanson
Sight Savers America Tribute Wall
In 2014, the UAB Callahan Eye Hospital in Birmingham dedicated a 25-foot tribute wall in their first floor lobby to Sight Savers America.
A unique part of the space displays an original work of art by an artist with severe visual impairment. The artwork, commissioned by Sight Savers America, is displayed for one year as the centerpiece of the tribute wall to honor the current Hero for Sight Award recipient.
The space also includes a plaque that shares the mission and scope of Sight Savers America’s work, a plaque honoring Hall Thompson’s role in improving children’s vision in Alabama, a plaque recognizing the current Sight Savers America Hero for Sight Award recipient and artist, and a plaque recognizing all award recipients throughout the years.
Media & Coverage from prior HERO FOR SIGHT events:
- 2026 – (photos) https://linkprotect.cudasvc.com/url?a=https%3a%2f%2fbirminghamphotographyco.pic-time.com%2fOjR4ZWCzqpu5u&c=E,1,ELL2b3GsXCCgp9WDg5qnuOWgrhS4bQFj3j0Cey8u0V9SEvwJEZxnoZYvaSYTBb80AfTbG51lJJURa1kRMoVDfmEAnsKsFRg18W0KmKCsPctlW5zrSoA,&typo=1
- 2026 (video) – https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/lz49qdugos6k05tei6x21/AESBhoYqSN7BcFdgtZKcq30?rlkey=mj9th6f2na2gx7ruyl40wlg99&st=t0tyks36&dl=0
- 2025 – (photos) https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/bvn0omnrtq94km0zbi9za/AKAjKcE4yIAQJuFieLXHdrA?rlkey=7ooucq0gnb0bp1qe0k1a0r6kw&st=vs6xs2mj&dl=0
- 2024 – (photos) https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/s9dpadol46kc6fycpuk1r/AGbXy4mtU0QAyar3BesLaJU?rlkey=alxhl8h5y2e4p9gnos8zfklzt&st=jmpdijko&dl=0
- 2024 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzJGH_dKIMw
- 2024 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GdZQ7wFw_M
- 2024 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQdQagJTv_M
- 2023 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTlOS1Nr74g
- 2023 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-oweUWMwqDw
- 2022 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDC29t-OswQ
- 2022 – (photos) https://www.dropbox.com/sh/tp8b5jbbu1su9q4/AAAeanhpDobGKwpO5MUmZaNua?dl=0
- 2021 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jvm0N2QEPFk
- 2019 – https://www.wvtm13.com/article/uab-eye-care-leader-receives-special-honor/26901601
- 2018 – https://abouttown.io/Hero-for-Sight/?key=xHjcgV
- 2017 – https://sightsaversamerica.org/hero-sight-event-march-8-2017/
- 2016 – https://sightsaversamerica.org/hero-for-sight-luncheon-march-10-2016/
- 2015 – https://sightsaversamerica.org/2015-hero-for-sight-luncheon-nbc-13-coverage/
- 2014 – https://sightsaversamerica.org/hero-for-sight-fundraiser/