A 501(C)3 Non-Profit Organization
I Care International, Inc.
It is through membership and donations that we are able to fulfill our mission of helping others improve their quality of life with the gift of better vision and health. Please consider becoming a member or renewing your existing membership.
Becoming a member for $I0 per student, $30 per person, or $60 for a family membership per year gives you the satisfaction of knowing you are helping to change the lives of the people we serve. There are many ways to help in addition to becoming a member. I Care needs volunteers to collect and donate used eyeglasses, as well as to clean and sort glasses for our trips. You may also volunteer to take part in one of our clinics. If interested in volunteering for one of our upcoming clinics, membership is required, and volunteers pay their own travel and lodging expenses. If you would like to donate used prescription glasses, readers, or sunglasses, please mail or drop off at: I Care International, Inc., 880 Bedford Road, Morris, IL 60450.
I Care typically brings ~7,000 pairs of eyeglasses to a clinic and roundtrip airline baggage fees have become a major clinic expense. To sponsor a bag, simply click on the donate button and be sure to fill out the message area so that we know what your donation is for.
Your tax-deductible contribution will help us continue our mission of helping the underserved people of the world. Please consider a membership with I Care International today!
The following is a form for an I Care International membership. Please print, fill out, and send the form to the provided address.
I Care International
880 Bedford Road
Morris, Illinois 60450
Our Co-founder
4/15/1936 – 2/15/2022
Philip A. Ortiz, O.D. journeyed into the spiritual realm on February 15, 2022, after a vibrant life. Born April 15, 1936, he was one of nine children born to Benito and Juana Ortiz, undocumented immigrants who as teens fled the violence and poverty of post-revolutionary Mexico. They met in Depue, Illinois at a railroad camp. The family was provided a rail car for housing in exchange for Benito’s labor. Those humble beginnings fostered many happy memories and desires. Phil understood one thing – the only way to get out of poverty was hard work and education, and he applied himself in every way possible.
I Care News
Thank You to Jesse Gutierrez
I Care International began as an organization on July 12, 1989. When you look back at the history of I Care, Jesse Gutierrez was a vital part of the organization and worked hand in hand with Phil Ortiz. They shared the same dream and worked hard to obtain it. Jesse...
2025 Clinic to Guatemala – Wrap Up
Read Full Newsletter Here! By Dave McClureThe peaceful hour-long ride to Panimatzalam, the first of I Care International’s two clinic sites in Guatemala this year, told us a lot about the village we had never before served. From our hotel in San Lucas Toliman, on the...
Back to Guatemala/WGN Radio Advertises Clinic to Guatemala
News For You! Read Full Newsletter Here! On March 1st, 38 I Care volunteers, including 5 optometrists and 2 optometry students, will gather in San Lucas Toliman, Sololá, for our organization’s 2025 vision health clinic. During 2 two-day clinics, we expect to...
Remembering Dr. Phil
Read Full Newsletter Here! Today we remember Dr. Phil Ortiz. Dr. Phil founded I Care International in 1989, along with Dr. Chuck Cools. I Care International continues to honor Dr. Phil by continuing his work. This year we will be traveling to the San Lucas Toliman...