About

Mission Statement

Our mission is to promote an improved quality of life for underprivileged and impoverished individuals, with an emphasis on access to quality eye care in Honduras.

Our Board

Officers

President – Dale Vollrath

Dale Vollrath has served on the board for six years, and was one of Vision’s founding members when it was conceived in 2016. Dale and his wife Mary Ann were first introduced to the mission in Honduras in 2005 when they visited Honduras with Maxine. Since then, they have returned every year, helping to ensure the growth and prosperity of the clinic. Before their retirement in 2016, Dale and Mary Ann owned a staffing franchise. Since then Dale has devoted his time to participating and teaching in bible classes, fishing, and volunteering. He currently serves as our boards President.

Vice President – Hector Jacques

Hector Jacques has been on the board of Vision for the Americas for six years, and currently serves as our Vice President. He was first introduced to Vision, and the mission in Honduras, 12 years ago and has worked tirelessly to do God’s work, improving the lives of those in need. From 1972-2009, Hector led the engineering firm of Jacques Whitford as it grew to 1700 employees, with 45 offices world wide. Hector also founded Vision for Honduras, a Canadian non-profit that focuses on similar goals as Vision for the Americas.

Treasurer – Fred Hunt

Fred is a retired insurance executive who resides in northeastern Pennsylvania, with his spouse of 51 years, Pastor Jan Hunt.  Fred has been involved in mission work in Central America, and specifically in Honduras for many years, beginning with a Vacation Bible School trip sponsored by the Church of the Palms, in Sarasota Florida. Fred is President Elect of his local Rotary club and quite active in his church. Fred joined the Vision for the Americas board in 2020 and will be assuming the responsibilities of Treasurer in 2023. 

Secretary – Mary Ann Vollrath

Mary Ann Vollrath has served on the board for six years and currently serves as our Secretary. Mary Ann and her husband Dale were first introduced to the mission in Honduras in 2005 when they visited Honduras with Maxine. Since then, they have returned every year, helping to ensure the growth and prosperity of the clinic.

Directors

Carol Buzilow

Carol Buzilow has served on the board of Vision for the Americas since 2020. She was first introduced to Vision by Maxine and since then has been intricately involved in the organization. As a nurse, Carol understands the importance of eye care in underserved communities, like those in Honduras.

Maxine Perry

Maxine Perry, was one of Vision’s founding members in 2016. Maxine first went to Honduras in 1996 with her late husband Dr. Douglas Perry. They were drawn to mission work in Honduras after their first visit and shortly afterward founded CCSHH, an eye and dental clinic in El Progreso. Vision for the Americas was founded as a way to help support CCSHH and other projects around Honduras. Before Vision, Maxine worked as an elementary school teacher and then Executive Director of CCSHH from 1997-2001. After her term as Executive Director, Maxine moved into the role of Advisor/Consultant for the clinic and President of Vision for the Americas until 2024.

Brooks VanDerzee

Brooks VanDerzee has been a board member of Vision for the Americas since its inception in 2016. Brooks first became involved in Honduras through mission trips to El Progreso with his church. While there, Brooks became passionate about the mission in Honduras because of the great impact that the gift of sight can have. Outside of Vision, Brooks has served 22 years in the US military, and has worked in personal finance for almost 25 years.

Stephanie Vollrath

Stephanie Vollrath has been a member of the board for two years. She was first introduced to Vision through Dale and Mary Ann. Her passion for work in Honduras comes from a recognition of the overwhelming need in the country. Stephanie’s background as a lawyer has proved to be a valuable perspective for the board and will doubtlessly be critical in the future. 

Associate Members

Emily Barlow

Emily has served as an Associate Member on the board since 2018. She was introduced to this organization by a family friend, Maxine, and immediately connected with the cause. Emily is currently a third year medical student at Florida State University. She has been involved in Vision’s outreach program through the creation and maintenance of the organization website. 

Andrew Sommerville

Andrew has been an Associate Member since 2021. He was first introduced to Vision through his grandmother, Maxine. Andrew’s passion for work in Honduras stems from the need he has witnessed on visits to Honduras with his grandmother. Andrew is currently a Senior at the University of Florida, and has worked with other associate members in the development of Vision’s website.

Jack Sommerville

Jack has served on the board as an Associate Member since 2018. He was first introduced to Vision by his grandmother, Maxine in 2016. Jack is currently attending the University of Florida College of Medicine with the goal of becoming an ophthalmologist like his grandfather. Jack’s interest in the work in Honduras stems from visits to Honduras with his grandmother. He has worked on building outreach for Vision through the creation of a Facebook page and website.