As eye care professionals, we are incredibly fortunate. We work in a field where we help people see life more clearly and protect their long-term vision. On top of that, we enjoy the financial rewards of a well-compensated profession.
When I speak to optometry students, I remind them to quickly pivot their mindset. You’re no longer a debt-burdened student. (Still debt burdened but now a doctor!). You’re stepping into a respected career with incredible earning potential and opportunities to make a real difference. A scarce mentality simply doesn’t align with the life ahead of you as an optometrist.
It’s important to embrace an abundance mentality and give back throughout your journey. Not just once you’re “comfortable.” Don’t wait until the mortgage is paid off or the kids finish university. No matter where you are in your life or career, there are always meaningful ways to contribute.
What You Can Give Back
The Gift of Time
Volunteering is a powerful way to contribute. Whether you’re active with Rotary, coaching a soccer team, or serving on a committee for your provincial association, your time and expertise are valuable. These roles also help you build leadership skills, broaden your network, and strengthen your business and community presence.
The Gift of Money
Charitable donations go a long way. Many organizations struggle to get initiatives off the ground. A simple financial contribution can be the difference between a stalled project and a successful one. It doesn’t need to be large. What matters is consistency and intention.
The Gift of Eyecare
This one comes naturally to us. Donating a pair of sunglasses, a gift certificate, or a dry eye gift basket for a local charity auction is a low-cost, high-impact gesture. The product has a high perceived value, costs you little thanks to wholesale pricing, and brings new patients into your practice. It’s a win for the community and your clinic.
Who You Can Give Back To
At Cowichan Eyecare, we set an annual giving budget. You can’t say yes to every request, and that’s okay. Choose causes that resonate with you and your team.
Start with organizations aligned with our field.
- Optometry Giving Sight
- Third World Eye Care Society (TWECS)
- Canadian Vision Care (CVC)
These groups bring vision care to underserved communities around the world.
Support local causes.
Food banks, women’s shelters, the SPCA, and Rotary Clubs are all strong candidates for regular giving. These are organizations your patients and staff already care about.
Remember your roots.
Give back to your optometry school. Whether it’s through alumni events, scholarships, or mentorship, helping the next generation strengthens the profession as a whole.
Look inside your own team.
Support staff-led fundraisers or sponsor the sports teams that their kids are involved in. At Cowichan Eyecare, we offer bursaries to staff whose children are graduating high school to help with their post-secondary plans. These small gestures build loyalty and community within your workplace.
Mentor generously.
Sharing your experience with new grads is one of the most impactful things you can do. Help them avoid your early mistakes, learn the ropes faster, and find their passion within the profession.
Our Internal Fund
We’ve set up an internal fund that allows our team to cover exam and eyewear costs for community members in real financial need. It’s not used often, but it’s there when someone needs a hand. Patients apply through a simple process, and doctors have discretion to offer no-charge services in exceptional cases.
This initiative reinforces our belief that access to vision care is a right, not a privilege.
The Bigger Picture
Giving back isn’t just a feel-good strategy. It reinforces gratitude, strengthens empathy, and keeps us connected to our communities and our purpose. It also improves morale within your clinic and builds a stronger team culture.
Adopting an abundance mindset allows you to lead with generosity, clarity, and confidence. It’s not about giving everything away, it’s about giving meaningfully and consistently, in ways that lift others and renew your sense of purpose.
If you’re fortunate enough to be in a position to give, you’re also in a position to lead.
Let’s lead well.
