Eyes on Design Set for Father's Day Weekend, June 18-20, in Metro Detroit
3 June 1999
Eyes on Design Set for Father's Day Weekend, June 18-20, in Metro DetroitGROSSE POINTE SHORES, Mich., June 2 -- Eyes on Design, the world's only automotive exhibition to focus on the emotion, character and execution of design will celebrate The Great American Convertible, Father's Day weekend, June 18-20, with four events around metro Detroit. All proceeds from the events will benefit the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology and the visually impaired. "We think we have the perfect weekend for fathers of all ages," said Gordon Miller, Eyes on Design event chairman. "Collectors are bringing nearly 300 of the finest automobiles ever built, we are on the grounds of the beautiful Ford House and we are raising money to help the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology and its mission to aid the visually impaired." Eyes on Design 1999 kicks off Friday, June 18, at 6 p.m., with Eve of Eyes at the DaimlerChrysler Design Center in Auburn Hills and moves Saturday, June 19 at 6:30 p.m. to Magna International in Troy for the annual Vision Honored Banquet. On Sunday, June 20, 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. the festivities are at the Edsel & Eleanor Ford House, Grosse Pointe Shores, starting with the Private Eyes Brunch and the Eyes on Design Automotive Exhibition. Tickets for all events can be obtained by calling the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology at 313-824-EYES (3937). Eyes on Design is the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology's (DIO) largest fundraiser. It was created to honor the profession -- design -- that produces the practical and aesthetic pieces of daily lives that make people treasure their vision. Proceeds from the events go to help the Institute's mission of providing opportunities in ophthalmic education, research and aid to the visually impaired. The DIO is a non-profit 501-(c)(3) corporation founded in 1972. It operates the only Allied Health Education accredited Ophthalmic Assistant program and two-year Ophthalmic Technician program in Michigan, one of only 13 nationwide. The DIO also manages one of the largest support groups for visually impaired persons in the United States. "We have brought hope into the lives of a lot of people who, when they lost their vision, didn't think life was worth living or felt they couldn't maintain independence," said Dr. Philip Hessburg, DIO founder and president. The research charter of the DIO is to provide economic support to appropriate proposals from academic and corporate scientists in areas involving the Eye and the Auto, and the Eye and the Chip. "We want to support efforts relating to vision and the safe operation of motorized vehicles and to those working to improve vision with microchip technology," Hessburg said. Each year, the DIO also sponsors the Visions to Remember Antiques Show, the Golf Fling and Eyes on Art preview.