By Jenny MacMurdo, Lemoore Chamber of Commerce
Lemoore's Dr. Jeff Garcia and members of his staff at Family Eye Care, the 2016 Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year.
Lemoore's Dr. Jeff Garcia and members of his staff at Family Eye Care, the 2016 Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year.

The Lemoore Chamber’s 2016 Business of the Year is very familiar to Lemoore folks, as is its owner, Dr. Jeff Garcia, whose business, Family Eye Care, was recently named this year’s “Business of the Year.”

A whole bunch of Lemoore residents also know him for the efforts he’s put in since he’s lived here to make his adopted home the best it can be. He is arguably one of Lemoore’s most visible persons.

The guy truly cares about Lemoore. He put his business here; he helped found the Kings Lions Club, served on the City of Lemoore Planning Commission, and is a constant presence at many community events.

He’s also a past Citizen of the Year and a member of the Kings Lions Club, a recent Organization of the Year honoree. Now, he has all three Chamber titles: Citizen, Organization, and now Business.

Garcia and his business will be honored on Friday, January 20 at the annual Lemoore Chamber of Commerce 59th Annual Installation and Awards Banquet.

“When you walk into Family Eye Care you are always greeted with smiling, friendly faces,” said friend and patron Roman Benítez. “They make every patient feel like family.” Benítez also serves with Garcia in the Kings Lions Club.

It begins with a welcoming staff, which is incredibly professional, and treats everyone who comes in with the same level of attention, a reflection of its owner.

Garcia and his employees go above and beyond the call of duty each day.  Family Eye care conducts many free eye clinics county-wide, and often visits rural schools to provide eye exams and glasses to students and adults in need.

Besides conducting free eye clinics and dispersing free eye glasses throughout the county, Family Eye Care has supported and contributed to local campaigns, local non-profit organizations, local sports teams and schools, and much more.  The business purchases tickets and attends local fund raisers.  The staff also goes out of its way to help sell tickets to the Kings Lions Brewfest which adds to the daily work load, but the staff is always happy to help out.

Family Eye Care is constantly striving to have the most up to date optometry technology, and training for its doctors and technicians.   “I have had the opportunity to work side by side with some of the staff during our Kings Lions free eye clinics,” said fellow Kings Lion Ray Etchegoin. “The staff assists us and goes out of their way to accommodate every patient we see and treats them as if they are the only patient that day.”

 Family Eye Care has been members of, and contributed to, The Optometry Association for over 20 years, and works with the Lions Eye Foundation, based out of San Francisco. Family Eye Care works with local school nurses to refer to the Foundation, for free eye surgeries and care.

“(Family Eye Care’s) commitment to supporting the community of Lemoore over the years has been nothing short of inspiring. They are very deserving of the business of the year award,” said Rob Isquierdo Jr.

In late November of 2016, Family Eye Care lost an amazing doctor, mentor and friend. Dr. Galen Grant was passionate about practicing optometry at Family Eye Care and he loved caring for his patients,” said Garcia. “He volunteered annually providing free eye care services to hundreds of patients at the annual Operation Homeless Connect Project in Kings County. We will all miss his great sense of humor and positive, caring spirit more than words can express,” added Garcia.