By Lana Hiskey
Nebo District
Public Information Officer
Each year the Kids Cause Board chooses to honor a few individuals who help make wonderful things happen for children. Bonnie Palmer, former Nebo School Board member, presented the Kids Cause award to Dr. Traer Caywood.
Mrs. Palmer stated that Dr. Traer Caywood graduated from Southern California College of Optometry in Fullerton, California and returned to Utah in 1983 with a practice in Springville and in Provo. Dr. Caywood has been practicing for over 26 years. He loves working with the visual system and particularly enjoys diabetic care and diseases of the eyes. Dr. Caywood likes to give back to the community through programs like Kid's Cause.
Kids Cause was organized for the purpose of providing clothing, medical treatment, vision care, dental care, school supplies and other items that will contribute to the well being of public school students who are not served by any other community, state, or national agencies.
Today, Kids Cause has 17 schools in Nebo School District. With the support of United Way, all K-Marts in Utah County, and Target in American Fork have made clothing and school supplies available.
Kids Cause also partners with optometrists and dentists in the area to provide for visual and dental needs of students, which have been identified by their teachers. The Kids Cause vision program is coordinated by Dr. Phillip A. Plothow. Dr. Plothow has recruited other eye doctors in Utah County to provide eye exams and glasses for students who have vision needs that their parents can't afford. These services are donated at no cost to the families. Over the past 15 years, thousands of children have been served.
Kids Cause relies totally on volunteer help. School principals, staff and Kids Cause coordinators assess needs and follow through on services. With the financial support of United Way, Kids Cause can and does make a difference for students in need.
Employees of Alpine, Nebo, and Provo School Districts are invited to make contributions through payroll deduction each year to United Way. Many earmark their donation to Kids Cause. Donations are also accepted from private community members and businesses.
