Hope Alliance rolls out new van to deliver free eye care across rural Utah

Photo: Hope Allliance

PARK CITY, Utah — Hope Alliance will unveil its new mobile eye‑care clinic designed to bring free exams and glasses to schoolchildren and rural residents during its Night Vision gala on Aug. 23 at the Weedon Family Ranch.

“We want to go to where the patients are,” Executive Director Diane Bernhardt said. “Public transportation isn’t always convenient and families share cars. The van lets us set up a full clinic in a school parking lot or at a health fair instead of asking parents to take time off work.”

The donor‑funded vehicle will carry two complete pop‑up clinics loaded with portable versions of the same equipment found in Hope Alliance’s fixed sites inside the People’s Health Clinic in Park City and the Moab Free Health Clinic. “We have wait lists we’d like to diminish, so this gives us more capacity,” Bernhardt said. The van took its first supply run to Moab in June; interior build‑outs and snow tires are still needed.

Founded in 1999 by Dr. John Hanrahan and pastor Joe Mitchell, Hope Alliance began as a broad medical relief charity but now focuses on vision care in Utah and abroad. Bernhardt said the group screened every Park City School District student flagged for poor eyesight last year and aims to add North Summit, South Summit and other rural districts once the van is fully operational. “We can ensure that our very youngest get a good start,” she said. “If you can’t see the board or your book, it’s not a great start.”

Night Vision runs 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and features casino tables, line dancing, lawn games and an “elevated barbecue” dinner in the refurbished barn overlooking White Pine Canyon. Organizers will pull a canvas cover off the new van midway through the evening, then roll it again in Park City’s Miners Day parade on Sept. 1.

“Whether you’re playing blackjack or two‑stepping under the stars, every dollar equips that van and keeps it rolling,” Bernhardt said.

Tickets and sponsorships are available at thehopealliance.org or by emailing Stacey Lipton at stacey@thehopealliance.org.