Dr. John P. Fitzpatrick was never in the military. When Vietnam was a hot issue, he was in college studying to be an optometrist. However, that didn't stop him from creating Operation Clear Vision, a 'gratitude', not charity, organization that provides glasses for military family dependents, in fact, he says, it motivated him.
"I feel a respectfully moral obligation to help out," says Dr. Fitzpatrick of his Operation Clear Vision program. "These [military] guys put it all on the line and don't get much in return. They make it possible for me to do be able to do what I do and I feel I owe it to them."
Dr. Fitzpatrick added that while he was in college there were young men dying and fighting for our freedom. He's grateful for what they do and does not believe he is running a charity organization he gives out of gratitude.
Past President of the Michigan Optometry Association, Dr. Fitzpatrick attended a conference in San Diego, fell in love with the area and moved here from Michigan in 1987. He opened his first private optometry practice in 1988 in Vista. In 1989, he opened his second practice in Carlsbad in the Village. He has been an optometrist for over 30 years, treating all kinds of medical eye diseases.
Three years ago while watching a news segment on the Iraqi invasion, he heard a story from a reporter regarding the difficulties and struggles of military families. In that story food stamps were mentioned and that struck a nerve.
"Once I heard about military families having to apply for food stamps I knew I had to do something. I established myself with a 501 c3 non profit corporation, went out into the community with my hat in my hand so-to-speak and started asking for donations. That's how Operation Clear Vision was formed," says Dr. Fitzpatrick.
The patients that receive glasses via Operation Clear Vision never see Dr. Fitzpatrick. He has organized and raised the funds for the program but facilitates the visits and distribution through Lions Club.
"This isn't about getting money or notoriety for myself," Dr. Fitzpatrick says earnestly. "There are no administration fees, every penny that comes in goes right back out to help these families."
In addition to his work on Operation Clear Vision, Dr. Fitzpatrick has been a consultant for the San Diego Unified School District and San Juan Capistrano School District's Special Education programs for the past five years. He also serves on the Carlsbad Chamber's Armed Services Committee.
"I feel a respectfully moral obligation to help out," says Dr. Fitzpatrick of his Operation Clear Vision program. "These [military] guys put it all on the line and don't get much in return. They make it possible for me to do be able to do what I do and I feel I owe it to them."
Dr. Fitzpatrick added that while he was in college there were young men dying and fighting for our freedom. He's grateful for what they do and does not believe he is running a charity organization he gives out of gratitude.
Past President of the Michigan Optometry Association, Dr. Fitzpatrick attended a conference in San Diego, fell in love with the area and moved here from Michigan in 1987. He opened his first private optometry practice in 1988 in Vista. In 1989, he opened his second practice in Carlsbad in the Village. He has been an optometrist for over 30 years, treating all kinds of medical eye diseases.
Three years ago while watching a news segment on the Iraqi invasion, he heard a story from a reporter regarding the difficulties and struggles of military families. In that story food stamps were mentioned and that struck a nerve.
"Once I heard about military families having to apply for food stamps I knew I had to do something. I established myself with a 501 c3 non profit corporation, went out into the community with my hat in my hand so-to-speak and started asking for donations. That's how Operation Clear Vision was formed," says Dr. Fitzpatrick.
The patients that receive glasses via Operation Clear Vision never see Dr. Fitzpatrick. He has organized and raised the funds for the program but facilitates the visits and distribution through Lions Club.
"This isn't about getting money or notoriety for myself," Dr. Fitzpatrick says earnestly. "There are no administration fees, every penny that comes in goes right back out to help these families."
In addition to his work on Operation Clear Vision, Dr. Fitzpatrick has been a consultant for the San Diego Unified School District and San Juan Capistrano School District's Special Education programs for the past five years. He also serves on the Carlsbad Chamber's Armed Services Committee.