The Foundation

Many in the Spartanburg community know JC Stroble as the man who calls the orders out and tells you to “move on down the line” at the Beacon Restaurant in downtown Spartanburg. J.C. Stroble, who lost his sight to Glaucoma at age 35 and his daughter, JeKeithlyn (KiKi) Ross, are shown (2nd picture from left) at the J.C. Stroble Glaucoma Awareness Center on Kennedy Street in Spartanburg. Ross has started the center and a foundation to raise awareness about glaucoma and to help people pay for eye exams.

 

HISTORY OF THE ORGANIZATION

The JC Stroble Glaucoma Awareness Foundation was launched on the USC Upstate Campus on April 11, 2008, by Jekeithlyn Stroble Ross.  Mrs. Ross is the daughter of J. C. Stroble, the legendary caller at the Beacon Drive-In.  He was diagnosed with Glaucoma over 30 years ago.  Mrs. Ross remembers during her childhood hearing her father stay up late at night because he was afraid to sleep.  Her dad would tell her that, “Glaucoma robs you of your sight at night”.  Mrs. Ross felt a desire to help educate the public about Glaucoma and the various ways the disease can be prevented and treated.  In January of 2007, Mrs. Ross enrolled at USC Upstate to study a major in nonprofit organization.  She felt that obtaining such a degree would further the advancement of her foundation and better enable her to serve the community.

The Beacon Restaurant helped play a monumental role with the establishing of the JC Stroble Glaucoma Awareness Foundation.  The previous owner of the Beacon, Mr. J.B. White, spent thousands of dollars over with eye professionals and evangelist in an effort to save Mr. Stroble’s sight.

The JC Stroble Glaucoma Awareness Foundation was created from the fears of one man to save the sight of many.