Brookside Optometric Group doctors are committed to you and your eye health, and to the community we share. From college scholarship contests for local high school seniors to medical mission trips around the globe, we believe in giving back and making a difference.
Our doctors are actively involved with numerous local charitable organizations, including the Central Valley Youth Symphony, Delta Humane Society, The Women’s Center, and St. Mary’s Homeless Shelter. We also support international programs such as the Red Rhino Orphanage in Kenya, Lions in Sight, and The Flying Samaritans to help change lives in communities all over the world.
As part of our ongoing goal to give back, we want to celebrate all that makes Stockton a thriving community. We are proud to be part of this city, and excited to provide you with an incentive to get out and enjoy the amazing opportunities Stockton has to offer.
2018 Community Events
The Gift of Color Vision
Christmas came early for a fire victim from Paradise. Doug lost everything in the fire, and by special arrangement with Brookside Optometric Group, Santa gave Doug the gift of seeing color for Christmas! Read Doug’s story here.
Stockton Heat - Military Appreciation Night
We supported the Stockton Heat and gave away two tickets to Military Appreciation Night to a local U.S. Air Force Veteran. We asked the community to help us choose a winner by nominating a deserving veteran or active service member.
Run & Walk Against Hunger
Dr. Bob and Dr. Rosie kicked off their Thanksgiving morning by participating in the 14th Annual Run & Walk Against Hunger. This annual tradition benefits the Emergency Food Bank Stockton/San Joaquin County.
Stockton Kings Giveaway
We supported the Stockton Kings by giving way two tickets to the November 19 Kings vs Santa Cruz Warriors game.
Thanksgiving Food Drive
Brookside Optometric collected food for the homeless for Thanksgiving. Thanks to the support of our generous patients, we were able to provide enough food for 20 families for the holiday, and all of the groceries were donated to the Emergency Food Bank Stockton/San Joaquin County.
Medical Missions - Lions in Sight
On November 1, Dr. Demshar along with 13 other doctors and 24 technicians from Lions In Sight of California and Nevada traveled to Tirana, Albania. The team set up 3 clinic sites in the capital city and 6891 patients were examined over the course of the week.
Central Giveaway
We supported Stockton’s local dining scene by giving away a gift certificate to Central!
Rotary Cultural Exchange
Dr. Bob Melrose traveled to Pakistan with his Rotary District and worked with local Pakistan Rotarians to vaccinate hundreds of children against polio.
Dining in the Dark
Drs. Bob and Rosie Melrose, Dr. Camille Weissenberg, and her husband Jacob sponsored the 2nd annual Dining in the Dark fundraiser to support Community Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
2018 Walk to End Alzheimer's
Drs. Bob and Rosie Melrose participated in and donated to the 2018 Walk to End Alzheimer's. The event raised over $160,000 to help advance the care, support and research efforts of the Alzheimer's Association.
Red Rhino Orphanage Project Fundraiser
Drs. Bob and Rosie Melrose sponsored the One Under The Stars dinner to benefit and support the Red Rhino Orphanage Project. Founded by local Stocktonians, the group has made an amazing difference in the lives of many children in Kenya.
Rotary Pins/Community Wins
Brookside had a great time at the third annual Rotary Pins-Community Wins fundraiser for Stockton Sunrise Rotary Club. Sponsored by Brookside Optometric Group, Dr. Bob Melrose, and Dr. John Demshar, the community event supports our local schools and military.
Discovery Challenge Academy
Brookside Optometric once again had the honor to help the cadets at the Discovery Challenge Academy by providing them with free eye exams and glasses.
Stockton Symphony Tickets Giveaway
We supported the Stockton Symphony and gave away a pair of tickets to Classics 1 - The Sights and Sounds of Stockton.
Summerfest 2018
We supported Dr. Demshar’s 7th Annual Summerfest Fundraiser by selling tickets and collecting used glasses at the Brookside office. The event raised nearly $13,500 in support of St. Mary's Dining Room, the Central Valley Flying Samaritans, the Mother Lode Flying Samaritans, and Lions in Sight./p>
Papapavlo's Giveaway
We supported Stockton’s local dining scene by giving away a gift certificate to Papapavlo's!
Mobile Vision Clinic
Dr. Leila Chow and Dr. Bob Melrose volunteered at the Tzu Chi mobile vision clinic to help the residents of Boggs Tract with their vision care needs. The screening provided free exams and glasses for all of the patients.
All City Rotary Peace Night
We sponsored All City Rotary Peace Night at the Stockton Ports in August. Dr. Bob Melrose participated in the formation of a giant peace sign with each member carrying one of 72 flags of each country that has an international project associated with Rotary District 5220.
School Supplies Drive
Throughout the month of July, we collected school supplies to help local students have a successful school year. At the start of the school year, we delivered bags of supplies to Mrs. Saporita-Jackson's second grade class at Victory Elementary School, and backpacks filled with school supplies to Cesar Chavez high school students.
Medical Missions - Lions in Sight
From July 20-21, a group from Lions In Sight examined 1080 patients in the city of Jerez, Zacatecas Mexico. Dr. Demshar and his wife Debbie were joined by his brother and cousin, who brought along their own recycled glasses to dispense to patients. Four other doctors and four technicians from California and Nevada also participated.
Stockton Ports Tickets Giveaway
We hosted a giveaway for Stockton Ports tickets, just in time for Independence Day. We gave away four tickets to the July 3rd game and fireworks show!
Leadership Lodi “Shine a Light” Fundraiser
In June, we had the opportunity to help sponsor Leadership Lodi's "Shine a Light" fundraising dinner to support The Village Lodi. The Village is an upcoming adult developmental and community center that will provide programs, resources, enriching activities, and practical skills for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Downtown Lodi.
Medical Missions - Flying Samaritans
Dr. Demshar and a group of Flying Samaritans from the Mother Lode chapter flew to San Quentin, Baja where Vision, Medical and Dental Clinics were held. The team saw 108 patients in the eye clinic, and all but three patients were dispensed eyeglasses.
Summer Camp Scholarships
The Brookside office chipped in to wear denim to work and helped raise funds to send high school students to summer camp with Giant Step Programs. The Stockton nonprofit organization supports local high school teens to become well-rounded individuals and make a difference in the world.
Red Rhino Orphanage Project
Brookside Optometric is a proud sponsor of the Red Rhino Project in Kenya, Africa. The Red Rhino Project is an orphanage that was the dream of local Stocktonians who saw the need of the poorest abandoned children in Africa to have a safe place to grow up and find a family. This year, we supported their Kenya Walk-a-Thon to help bring awareness to their needs and help restore the surrounding community.
2018 Scholarship Contest
We sponsored our third annual $1000 College Scholarship Contest for local San Joaquin County high school students. To enter the contest, class of 2018 seniors submitted a 100-word essay sharing what education has meant to their family. Arica Aninag from Lincoln High School received 1917 votes and submitted the winning 100-word essay to receive the $1000 scholarship award.
Discovery Challenge Academy
We continued our ongoing partnership with Discovery Challenge Academy to provide free eye exams and new glasses to 10 high school students. Based in Lathrop, Discovery Challenge Academy (DCA) opened in January 2017 as a partnership between the California National Guard and San Joaquin County Office of Education. We are proud to partner with DCA as part of our commitment to make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth.
Denim Day
We honored Denim Day on April 25 to help bring awareness that a woman’s clothes are never an excuse for sexual violence. Our staff chipped in to wear denim to work and hosted a bake sale to raise money for Women's Center-Youth & Family Services of San Joaquin County.
Medical Missions - Lions in Sight
During the Lions in Sight medical mission clinic to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, 980 patients were given free eye exams and glasses. A team of 5 doctors and 10 volunteers dispensed glasses during the two-day clinic, including Sharon, Erica, Dr. Demshar, Bev, and Dr. Grewal from Zeiter Eye. We all had a great experience!
UC Berkeley Student Rotations
Three years ago, we established the first-ever private practice rotation for UC Berkeley Optometry students. In March, several groups of students visited our practice to learn about private patient care. These young doctors are our future, and we are honored to give back to our profession through this ongoing project!
St. Mary’s Homeless Shelter
Our staff collected donations of personal care items throughout the month of March and assembled 38 bags for men, women, and children to support St. Mary’s Homeless Shelter. Thanks to all of our wonderful patients for the generous donations!
Rotary Cultural Exchange
Dr. Bob traveled to the Philippines on a Rotary Cultural exchange. The group of 24 Rotarians toured the Quezon province, explored the country, and met with local Rotarians to assess their needs. The members of the team donated their own money to provide leg braces for a young man who was afflicted with CP, and made arrangements for him to see a doctor and receive treatment. We are proud of how our doctors look for ways to give back to our community and the world.
Stockton Chorale
We partnered with the Stockton Chorale as a concert underwriter for the February “Awaken the Dream” performance honoring the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
UOP vs Gonzaga Giveaway
We supported the UOP men’s basketball team by giving away four on-the-floor-tickets to the February 8 UOP vs Gonzaga game.
20th Anniversary Open House
We celebrated our 20th Anniversary as a practice in January and hosted an Open House to celebrate with our amazing patients, staff, and friends. It was a great evening of celebration, fun, food, and special giveaways. Thanks to all who joined us!
