Prevent Blindness Wisconsin is proud to announce our 2024-2025 Annual Meeting award recipients. These individuals and organizations represent the best of qualities that keep PBW moving closer to our vision for each Wisconsin resident to have healthy vision for a lifetime: service to Wisconsin communities, vision care education and empowerment, and an unwavering commitment to our sight-saving mission.
Learn more about our award winners and their journeys with PBW below:
Gae Lach Sight Saver Award for Volunteer Service
Jeff & Terry McClellan
Community Volunteers
Jeff has been involved with Prevent Blindness Wisconsin for over 20 years, first becoming a part of the organization at the invitation of Carl Trimble to join the Board and provide marketing support. Jeff currently serves as Board Chair. He has served on the national board of directors for Prevent Blindness and still consults with the national organization on marketing and advertising. Terry has been deeply involved as a volunteer vision screener since her retirement from Northwestern Mutual and continues to introduce friends to the joys of volunteering for Prevent Blindness Wisconsin. Receiving this award is not just a high honor, but truly a highlight of Jeff and Terry’s time volunteering with the organization.
From Cleveland, Ohio originally, Terry and Jeff lived in North Carolina following college at Bowling Green State University and then moved to the Milwaukee area in 1990. Jeff had an extensive career in advertising, as a partner and agency owner for nearly 30 years. Terry finished her career as an I.T. professional at Northwestern Mutual. They have two sons who currently live on the west coast and two grandsons.
Children’s Healthy Vision Award
Katie Bortz RN, BSN
CESA5 School Nurse
Prevent Blindness Wisconsin is proud to present the Children’s Healthy Vision Award to Katie Bortz, School Nurse at CESA5. This award recognizes a children’s vision health program partner who goes above and beyond to make children’s vision health a reality—and Katie exemplifies that commitment every day.
A dedicated and long-standing partner of Prevent Blindness Wisconsin, Katie ensures her students not only receive high-quality vision screenings but are also supported in accessing the follow-up vision care they need. Her approach is rooted in compassion and advocacy, always putting her students’ health and well-being at the forefront.
Katie has served as a school nurse at CESA5 for the past four years. Prior to this role, she worked in emergency medicine and critical care. Her mission is to provide exceptional service to the school districts she supports, ensuring every child has the opportunity to see clearly and thrive. She tirelessly advocates for students’ health and well-being, always putting their needs and abilities at the center of her work.
Katie lives in Rio, Wisconsin with her husband and two children. Outside of work, she is currently training with her nursing colleagues to run the Fall 50 in Door County, another example of her dedication, teamwork, and drive.
We are honored to recognize Katie for her leadership, compassion, and unwavering efforts to protect and promote children’s vision health in her community. Congratulations, Katie!
20/20 Service Award
Joan and Melitta Pick Charitable Trust
Prevent Blindness Wisconsin is thrilled to announce the recipient of this year’s 20/20 Service Award: the Joan and Melitta Pick Charitable Trust.
For more than 20 years, the Trust has been an essential partner in our mission to safeguard children’s sight. Through their continued funding and belief in our work, thousands of Wisconsin children have received critical vision screenings and follow-up care—setting them on a path to success in school and beyond.
We are grateful for their dedication, and we celebrate their extraordinary impact on the lives of children across the state. Congratulations to the Joan and Melitta Pick Charitable Trust on this well-deserved recognition!
2025 Shared Vision Award
Satisloh North America
Prevent Blindness Wisconsin is honored to present the 2025 Shared Vision Award to Satisloh North America. For over nine years, Satisloh has shown an unwavering commitment to community health by volunteering their time to provide vision screenings for students in private choice schools—many of whom would not otherwise receive this essential service.
Satisloh’s impact goes beyond their time. Their financial contributions—driven by passionate staff members, demonstrate a deep, personal investment in our mission. Through employee-led giving and enthusiastic participation in our EyeWalk for Sight event, the company fosters a culture of service, connection, and community engagement.
Satisloh North America truly embodies the spirit of the Shared Vision Award, and we are proud to recognize their dedication to preserving sight and making a meaningful difference across Wisconsin.
Adult Healthy Vision Award
Casa ALBA Melanie
Casa ALBA Melanie is a nonprofit Hispanic resource center based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Founded in 2012 by Sister Melanie Maczka and Father Ken DeGroot.
The organization’s mission is to nurture the well-being and wholesome development of all members of the Hispanic community living in the greater Green Bay area. It serves as a hub for information and referral, connecting individuals seeking assistance with service providers in the community.
Casa ALBA Melanie offers a variety of programs, including educational services, health and family needs assistance, professional and immigration services, and general support. The center also collaborates with local organizations to host events.
Since its inception, Casa ALBA Melanie has been well received in the community, experiencing continuous growth and involvement. The center sees more than 300 individuals monthly, offering classes, consultations, assistance, support groups, and addressing walk-in concerns.
Vision Screening Ambassador Award
Preschool of the Arts
For over 25 years, Preschool of the Arts has been a dedicated partner in our mission to protect and preserve children’s sight. Their unwavering commitment, passion, and generosity have helped thousands of Wisconsin children receive crucial early vision screenings and follow-up care.
Dr. Penny Robbins
Dr. Penny Robbins has been the Executive Director at Preschool of the Arts in Madison for the past 5 and a half years. She has her doctorate in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis on children, families, and LGBTQ individuals. She has been in early childhood for the past 20+ years. The importance of early detection for visual issues is important to Dr. Robbins as she was diagnosed with amblyopia at the age of 5 through an early screening and is legally blind in her left eye. Preschool of the Arts is a proud partner with Prevent Blindness Wisconsin!
Mollie Stetzer
Mollie Stetzer began her career as a teacher in Benton, Kentucky and is now the Enrollment Manager of Preschool of the Arts in Madison, Wisconsin. She has worked in family engagement for over 25 years and knows how important the service Prevent Blindness Wisconsin provides is to families. Mollie has 7 grown children and 3 beautiful granddaughters. She lives in Endeavor, Wisconsin with her husband, 4 dogs, 2 cats, 4 goats, 1 rabbit, and a multitude of chickens.