EYECARE WECARE FOUNDATION - Key Persons
Graduated from Montesano High School in Washington State, Pacific University, Forest Grove, Oregon with a BS in science and later his of OD, Doctor of Optometry degree in 1968. Elected as President of the Washington Optometric Association (W.O.A.) in 1975. Was presented with "Doctor of Year" by the W.O.A. in 1979. Has been a practicing Optometric Physician 52 years. Two of those years in the U.S. Navy: 30 years in private practice in Toppenish, WA and 20 years in Aberdeen, WA in his own practice. He received the "Ambassador for Peace" Award in 2011 and the same year was honored by his Aberdeen Lions club to become a Melvin Jones recipient in 2014 and received the Lions International Presidents Award. in 2017 which is the 2nd highest award in Lions..
He founded EyeCare WeCare Foundation, Inc. in 2001 and has watched it grow from a self funded foundation to what has become today---- a 100% Voluntary Foundation that delivers free vision care for the indigent population in the Philippines.
Josh grew up in Queets, WA and graduated from Lake Quinault High School in 1994. He is an outstanding athlete who holds the school records in the long jump ( 22ft 5.25 inches and the triple jump 44ft 9.75 inches. He placed in the state tournaments in 1993 and 1994. He was also first team A/B all Washington state in basketball. He is also a computer genius. He graduated from Business Computer Training Institute in Oregon in 1998. In 2002 he started at Walmart Vision center in Aberdeen with Dr. Weyrich and became an optician. In 2006 he worked for Dr Glen Hoot as an dispensing optician. He got his Washington State Licensed Dispensing Optician (LDO) degree in 2007. in 2009 the American Board of Opticianry (ABOC) and belongs to the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLEC) He is currently Owner of Butler Optical in Aberdeen, WA. Josh has been on the board of directors for EyeCare WeCare Foundation since its inception in 2001. He has accompanied Dr. Weyrich to the Philippines in 2005. Josh is also an enrolled member of the Quinault Nation. He also volunteers his time fixing the computer challenges for the foundation.
Job Titles:
- SECRETARY / TREASURE
- TREASURE: JUDITH HIGGINS
Graduated from Coachella Valley Union High School in Thermal, California. Attended College of the Desert, Palm Desert, California. Worked as a Bookkeeper in a couple of the local Date companies, and General Manager of Shields Date Garden in Indio, California. Relocated to Aberdeen, Washington to aid her disabled sister. She was Honored with the "Rookie of the Year" her first year in the Aberdeen Lions Club, and was doubly honored in her second year by being named "Lion of the Year". She was elected as Treasure 2016 - 2017 for the Aberdeen Lions. She has since moved to Sparks Nevada next to Reno to be with antoher sister there and is very active with the local Lions Club there.
Susan was born in Pampanga, Philippines and migrated to the United States in 1961. Her father was in the United States Navy and her mother was a school teacher. She returned to the Philippines and earned a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Centro Escolar University. She then returned to the United States where she met and married husband Ed Damilao. She worked at Kent County Hospital, RI as a Med Tech for 10 yrs. Susan also has 10 years of management as a multi store manager with Sunglass Hut International.
Susan retired as an Optician from Jacksonville Eye Center after 15 yrs and is currently residing in the Philippines. In 2011 she started the Sammy & Dionicia Bautista Saup Program which is a scholarship for indigent students of San Jose and San Rafael, Macabebe, Pampanga. The program to date has 21 high school scholars and 2 college scholars. The program also has a yearly Game Day event, school feedings, and seniors food distribution.
The SAUP Program has partnered with ECWC Foundation and the students will be volunteering to prepare the recycled used eyeglasses for upcoming medical vision mission. They will be reading prescriptions from the eyeglasses, recording the power on a plastic bag, catagorize them by Men, Women or Children and sort them in order of successive powers. This will fulfill their community service requirement for school and may lead to medical careers in the future.
Born and raised in Southern California, Stephen earned a certificate in Accounting which funded his continued studies at several California colleges and studies in Cambridge, England. Although Geology was his main focus of interest, British Literature and History fueling an over whelming urge to travel the world. He has traveled all over Europe, the Mediterranean, the Ukraine, and spent time in Jamaica and the Philippines, which is where he met his wife, Sheryl.
Stephen has been self employed for over 20 years, has owned restaurants, sold Real Estate and currently owns a wholesale produce brokerage company and currently owns a home in Hoquiam, WA.
Job Titles:
- Philippines Foundation Director
- Philippines Missions Director