We love all our wonderful volunteers.

In over 30 years of helping people in multiple countries we have had hundreds of volunteers join us in our volunteer work.

This page is to honour just four volunteers and we will be honouring four more volunteers each year.

Robert Dawson

Robert Dawson has been a dedicated member of the Third World Eye Care Society (TWECS) since 1999 and has served as a Director for more than 20 years. A retired instructor from the Douglas College School of Opticianry, Robert has shared his technical expertise and leadership on numerous TWECS humanitarian missions to the Philippines.

He played an instrumental role in developing and organizing the eyeglass sorting process at the TWECS warehouse, establishing a quality control system that ensures only the best eyeglasses are selected for distribution to patients in need.

Robert also served as a facilitator and liaison with the Fraser Pretrial Centre, where he helped train participants in the precise measurement of eyeglass strengths—turning service and skill-building into an opportunity for rehabilitation and community contribution.

Through his steadfast commitment, innovation, and compassion, Robert has helped strengthen the foundation of TWECS’ mission to bring clear vision to those who need it most.

Lion Jocelyn Wan

Lion Jocelyn Wan embodies the true spirit of service. A devoted TWECS volunteer, she has spent countless hours at the TWECS Warehouse, sorting, cleaning, and packing eyeglasses that bring clear vision to people in need around the world. What began as a simple act of kindness has grown into a personal mission to make a lasting impact.

Month after month, Jocelyn organizes and leads groups of volunteers—friends, colleagues, and fellow Lions—to the warehouse to help sort and prepare eyeglasses for upcoming TWECS projects. Her energy and dedication have inspired many new volunteers to experience the joy of giving through recycled eyeglasses.

In 2024, Jocelyn joined the TWECS mission to Catanduanes, Philippines, where she witnessed the profound impact of this work—hundreds of patients patiently waiting for a single pair of glasses that would restore their sight. The smiles of gratitude she saw reaffirmed her belief in the power of service.

A proud member of Lions Clubs International, Jocelyn has served as Past Zone Chairperson and currently serves as District 19 Global Service Team Coordinator (2025–2026). Through her leadership, she continues to turn compassion into action—one pair of eyeglasses at a time.

Evan March

Evan has been part of TWECS since 2010—age eight—starting with eyeglass collection drives at school. He soon became a regular at the TWECS eyeglass warehouse, helping sort and prepare 10,000+ eyeglasses for missions. In high school, he even led classmates and full classes to volunteer, guiding them through the careful sorting and labeling process and keeping the warehouse flow running smoothly.

A passionate advocate, Evan spoke at five BC high schools and appeared on Bill Reid’s radio show and Global TV to support Typhoon Haiyan relief after losing three relatives. With his sister, he helped fill a 40-foot container of relief goods—clothes, food, baby formula, blankets, and shoes—which TWECS volunteers distributed in Tacloban to families living in tents. (On missions, eyeglasses travel as checked baggage with volunteers.)

Evan has served on TWECS projects in the Philippines, Nepal, and Peru. Today he is our Clinic Director, managing crowd control, patient flow, and daily operations with a calm, steady hand and deep know-how.

From a boy collecting glasses to a leader ensuring thousands receive care, Evan March embodies the spirit of TWECS.

Cheryl

Cheryl, a fourth-year Biology student with a passion for all things eyes, combines her love of science with a heart for service. As President of the UBC TWECS Chapter, she has led with enthusiasm by organizing eyeglass drives, coordinating sorting nights at the TWECS warehouse, and fundraising through the sale of sunglasses.

She was first introduced to TWECS during her first year at UBC, where she was struck by TWECS’ mission, particularly the unique experience to directly partake in action. Now in her fourth year with TWECS, she looks forward to welcoming new members and continuing to make a difference through the gift of clear vision. In her spare time, she enjoys all genres of music and has a keen interest in health and wellness.