Seva News

Donor Spotlight: Nikolas Toocheck
"You don't have to be big to make a difference!"

14-year-old Nikolas Toocheck came up with his very own philanthropic campaign called "Running the World for Children."  

Nikolas's first incredible goal was to raise funds for charity by running a marathon on all seven continents. This student from Pennsylvania quickly became the youngest person to achieve such a feat. As if that couldn't be topped, this budding philanthropist has now just completed his latest goal to run a marathon in all 50 U.S. States. Nikolas's campaign focused on raising awareness and financial support for Seva's pediatric programs to prevent blindness and restore sight to children in need.

So what's motivating young Nikolas to take on these incredible feats? He proudly answers that his father Daniel is his inspiration.

His father is an eye doctor, who regularly travels the world volunteering for organizations like Seva and providing underserved communities with vital sight-saving eye care.

Daniel runs each marathon with Nikolas, every step of the way, describing his son as a "high energy individual," who truly is the "young Forrest Gump."

As active as he is, Nikolas still finds time to be a kid, especially on the marathon course. Enjoying both road and trail running, Nikolas often strays off the beaten path when he's training - literally! He can't run in a straight line, even when there is some form of pathway. If you're behind him, you can watch him kicking rocks and grass, jumping in the occasional stream, and in winter, climbing up the largest snow mount. His favorite running weather are the extremes. According to Nikolas, the worse the weather, the more fun it is. He can't wait for his chance to run in hail but his mother has informed him that he'll be wearing a helmet when the time comes!

Nikolas doesn't just race for the love of it, he runs to raise funds to help others. Nikolas explains that his catchphrase is, "you don't have to be big to make a difference!"

"Just thinking about the kids out there that can't see, I just couldn't imagine not being able to see and I really hope that I can help change that for a lot of kids," says Nikolas.

Seva's Director of Development, Julie Nestingen, notes, "It is wonderful to see the focus and commitment Nikolas has for making a difference in the world and he sets a beautiful example for other young people to realize that they 'don't have to be big to make a difference.' Seva is honored to have this level of commitment from our supporters, regardless of age. Nikolas is breaking records at many levels."

In addition to breaking records, Nikolas has been receiving distinguished honors for his volunteer efforts, recently being named a Prudential Spirit of Community Award Honoree and Jefferson Awards Foundation GlobeChanger.

An estimated 500,000 children become blind each year. With proper access to eye care, an astounding 80% of overall visual impairment can be prevented or cured. Campaigns like Nikolas's are helping Seva to build sustainable pediatric eye care programs that are saving the eyesight of children in need around the globe.


 

Related Articles

Care for Children

Today, more than 90 million children and adolescents live with some form of visual impairment. Most of these kids live in areas of the world where even the most basic eye care services continue to be out of reach. Combatting child blindness is one of the most cost effective health interventions and kids who have their sight restored are given an average of 50 years of sight.

Seeing the World Through A Child's Eyes

In less time than it takes to read this article, a child will lose their eyesight. One every minute. The child will likely be living in poverty, struggling for survival in one of the many parts of the world where access to even the most basic of eye care services continue to be out of reach.

Donor Spotlight: Nikolas Toocheck

"Just thinking about the kids out there that can't see, I just couldn't imagine not being able to see and I really hope that I can help change that for a lot of kids," says Nikolas.

Bio Eyes Will Provide Comprehensive Eye Care to 200,000 School Children in India

Seva is excited to announce the launch of our new Buy a Frame, Help a Child to See program in partnership with the eyewear brand Bio Eyes. Through sales from this line of eco-friendly eyewear, Bio Eyes will support Seva's efforts to screen the eyes of 200,000 school children in India.

Seva Screens the Eyes of Over 100,000 Children in Cambodia

For nearly 20 years, Seva has been dedicated to building sustainable pediatric eye care programs in Cambodia - programs that provide sight-saving care to children in need throughout the country.

Bringing the World into Focus for Nepali Children in Need

If you have the opportunity to travel to Nepal, a country where 33% of the population is under the age of 14, you will surely notice the smiling faces of children everywhere you go. You may also notice that very few of these children are wearing eyeglasses.

Patient Spotlight: Meet 9-Year-Old Wendy

A nervous mother brought her nine-year-old daughter Wendy to a Seva-sponsored outreach screening camp, hoping the doctors could restore sight to her blind eye. Five years ago, Wendy had lost vision in her eye after accidentally being bumped in the head while playing with friends.

Seva's Inaugural #SevaSocialGiving Crowdfunding Campaign

Your support of this innovative campaign made it possible for Seva to train 40 teachers in Cambodia who are screening the eyes of 29,000 students for visual impairment. These efforts are identifying children who need of glasses and sight-saving medical care, like sweet 7-year-old Bopha who is featured in this video.

Seva Donors Make The Miracle of Sight Possible in Cambodia

This past February, a rural school in Cambodia experienced firsthand how the support and compassion of Seva donors, combined with a few dashes of serendipity, changed the lives of the students and teachers forever.

Share our vision

Don't miss out on more good news.

 

Sign up today and get life transforming stories and event announcements.

* We won't share your email and you can unsubscribe at any time.

GuideStar Holiday Impact Prize Charity Navigator BBB Accredited Charity The Life You Can Save Charity Watch

Follow Seva:

Seva Foundation Seva Foundation Seva Foundation Seva Foundation Seva Foundation

Contact Us | Search | State Disclosures | Privacy Policy | Job Opportunities | Sign In

Seva Foundation 1786 Fifth Street Berkeley, CA 94710 phone: 510-845-7382 fax: 510-809-3364
Seva Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. © 2024 Seva Foundation. All rights reserved.