Champions of change: Jeff and ava Weinstein
When Jeff Weinstein woke up one morning with distorted, double vision, he felt disoriented, dizzy and scared. With one eye closed, he could see clearly. But when he opened both eyes, the world tilted and blurred diagonally, making it difficult to walk. Fortunately, Jeff was able to find specialists and receive the treatment he needed. But even with resources and support, navigating the healthcare system proved difficult. Filling out paperwork at the ophthalmologist’s office became frustrating when he could barely read the forms in front of him. Specialized corrective glasses, designed to help manage the issue, came with a large price tag. For many families, he realized, those barriers make treatment impossible.
His experience made him think about something he had not considered before: what happens to people who face serious eye problems but don’t have access to care, insurance or financial resources?
“I realized very quickly how much you value your eyes when something goes wrong,” Jeff said. That perspective led Jeff to search for an organization focused specifically on vision care. During his research, he discovered I Care San Antonio. ICSA’s mission immediately stood out. “What really grabbed me was learning that the doctors volunteer their time,” Jeff said. “That told me this was an organization truly helping people.”
He read testimonials from patients whose lives changed because of the ICSA’s services. The stories convinced him the organization makes a tangible difference in the community. Soon after, he made his first donation.
But it was visiting the clinic in person with his wife, Ava, that deepened his commitment. Seeing the facility firsthand, the advanced equipment and pride shared by the staff and volunteer doctor and medical director, Zachary Burkhart, M.D., left a lasting impression.
“You read about an organization online, and that’s one thing,” Jeff said. “But then you walk into the I Care clinic and see what they’re doing, and how many people they’re helping, you think, ‘Wow, this is a really good investment.’” Shortly after the visit, Jeff and Ava made another donation.
For Jeff, philanthropy is rooted in impact. He prefers supporting organizations where he can clearly see how donations improve lives, especially in areas like healthcare and supporting food security. Jeff traces that mindset back to lessons from his grandfather, who taught him the importance of generosity and helping others whenever possible.
He hopes sharing his story encourages others to support organizations making direct, meaningful impacts in people’s lives, like I Care San Antonio. For anyone currently facing health challenges or uncertainty, Jeff offers simple advice, “Don’t give in and get frustrated. Stay positive, stay hopeful and use the resources available to you.”