The Vision of Children Foundation’s 2025
Sip to See Springtime Tea Event!
The Vision of Children Foundation’s “Sip to See, Springtime Tea 2025”
May 7, 2025 | La Jolla, CA
About the Event
The Vision of Children Foundation hosted its highly anticipated annual “Sip to See, Springtime Tea” on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at a private club in La Jolla. Event Chairs Kristi Pieper, Zarah Meyer, and Vivian Hardage, along with the Foundation’s dedicated Advisory Board, welcomed more than 180 guests to an elegant midday gathering. This sold-out event’s proceeds will support groundbreaking research to cure genetic vision disorders and assist affected children and families.
Attendees enjoyed a traditional full tea service, boutique shopping, a beautifully curated silent auction, and exciting opportunity drawings. This year’s program featured an engaging presentation of fun facts about tea by Juliann Ford of Manners Prep, and an enlightening presentation from Dr. Greg Ostrow, esteemed VOC Board of Directors member and Director of Pediatric Ophthalmology at Scripps Clinic. The most moving moments of the program came from VOC Advisory Board member Zarah Meyer, who shared a heartfelt personal testimony alongside her 4-year-old daughter, Rosie. Diagnosed with a genetic vision disorder at just two months old, Rosie has been under the care of Dr. Ostrow, who has helped guide the Meyer family through the challenges of her diagnosis. Zarah recalled the family’s first meeting with Dr. Ostrow. It was then they learned about the potential for gene therapy to cure genetic vision disorders if treatment begins before the age of 10. Zarah emphasized the urgency of VOC’s mission to find a cure for hereditary vision disorders, explaining that critical research could not happen without the continued generosity of donors and supporters.
“We are immensely grateful for the incredible generosity of everyone who joined us this year,” said Sam and Vivian Hardage, Co-founders of The Vision of Children Foundation. “Every contribution helps bring us closer to the day when no child will have to grow up with vision loss caused by a genetic disorder.”
About The Vision of Children Foundation
Rancho Santa Fe residents Sam and Vivian Hardage established Vision of Children in 1991 after their son, Chase, was born with Ocular Albinism. At the time, no researchers were studying this rare genetic vision disorder, for which no treatments or cures exist. The Hardages were determined to encourage scientific research to find a cure for this congenital condition.
Today, as it celebrates over 30 years of research, Vision of Children is the foremost organization in the world supporting research for Ocular Albinism and related vision disorders with projects currently underway at The Shiley Eye Institute at UC San Diego Health.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Presenting Sponsors:
Burger, Meyer & D’Angelo, LLP | Christy Walton
High Tea Sponsors:
Donna & Ray Vance | Jacki Johnson | Joanie O’Leary
Champagne & Wine Sponsors:
Kerr Family Foundation |Kristi Pieper | Jeannie Ranglas | Steven & Lynne Wheeler
Underwriters:
Linda Blankenship | Judy Cater | Las Damas | Stephanie Miller | Linda Matthews | Judy Oliphant | Kristi Pieper
Boutique Vendors:
If you were unable to attend and would like to donate, please click the button below!
Questions? Get in touch.
Have questions about an event? Interested in becoming a sponsor for an upcoming event? Please fill out the form to send us a message or give us a call at (858) 314-7927.
The Vision of Children Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization with Tax ID # 95-4271785