Jumponmarkslist.com
caught up with Dr. James Beranek, of
Beranek Optometry, to find out more about
his practice and his annual fundraiser called Eye Believe.
JOML: How long have you
been practicing optometry?
Dr. James Beranek:
Almost seven years. Are you from here? If not, where are
you originally from? I grew up in
South Dakota, but also
lived in
Las Vegas,
Nevada and
Columbus,
Ohio. I moved to
Fort Lauderdale for
Optometry school in 1999.
What makes your practice
different than other practices?
Beranek Optometry is doctor owned, not
like the corporate chains or opticals owned by an optician.
Beranek Optometry focuses on patient ocular health and
well-being, state-of-the art equipment and superior customer
service. Beranek Optometry not only provides excellent
patient care but provides patients access to some of the
most fashionable eyewear available. We have a
unique selection of eyewear that most optical shops or
optometry practices don’t carry.
What are some of
the services you offer?
Comprehensive eye exams for glasses and
contact lenses, 24-hour access to a doctor for care and
concerns, on-site lab to make glasses, laser vision
consultation, eyewear adjustments and repairs, large
selection of fashion-forward eyewear. Most insurance
are accepted.
When did you do your first Eye
Believe Benefit?
The first Eye Believe Benefit was
September 2007. I started the benefit in memory of one of my
best friends, Jerry Michaud, who passed away in January
2007. It helped me deal with his death and turned
something tragic into an opportunity to help children living
with HIV to commemorate his life and not his death.
How did you get involved with the
Children’s Diagnostic and
TreatmentCenter?
A friend of mine knew about the CDTC and
setup an appointment with me to meet with the director of
the CDTC and Dr. Ana Puga, who works for the CDTC and deals
with the children living with HIV on a daily basis.
They gave us a tour of their clinic and after finding out
more about the children, the clinic and the organizations
need for community support, I immediately knew it was an
organization that I wanted to help.
How has the
benefit changed and grown through the years?
The first year, my benefit attracted
almost 100 guests and was held at my office in
Hollywood. Food and
wine were provided, and there were 5 frame reps showing
their entire collection of glasses and sunglasses for guests
to buy any eyewear at a discount.
The second year, there were almost 300
guests, and the benefit was held at the pool deck of Midtown
Miami, with six frame reps, a D.J., food and wine were
provided, a fashion show and video montage to inspire people
to get involved and gift bags for each guest.
Last year, the benefit was limited to
400 guests, and the tickets sold out a week in advance. It
was held at the pool area of the
W Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale
with nine frame reps, a D.J., catered food, a silent
auction with items donated by local businesses that valued
almost $10,000, door prizes, Aussie Bum swimwear fashion
show, video montage to once again inspire people, gift bags
were given to each guest and a local photographer and
videographer donated their time and pictures can be seen at
my
Facebook Page....Beranek Optometry.
Jumponmarkslist.com
caught up with Dr. James Beranek, of
Beranek Optometry, to find out more about
his practice and his annual fundraiser called Eye Believe.