Seeing is believing for thousands in Mexico thanks to the generosity of Larry Merry, manager, Ameren Missouri Central Ozark Division.

Merry was on a mission trip in Mexico with his Jefferson City, Mo., congregation to build a small medical clinic three years ago when he noticed virtually none of the locals were wearing glasses.

"I thought, certainly their eyes can't be any better than ours," Merry says. "I did a little checking and come to find out they can't afford glasses."

With the help from a local optometrist and Lions Club, who provide surplus eyeglasses, Merry has made several trips to Mexico to run eye clinics and give glasses to those in need.

"You often see tears of joy and excitement when you put glasses on a 60-year-old woman who can now see the world again," Merry says. "I guess you could say this mission work is my calling."

Merry and hundreds of others at Ameren volunteer their time and skills to help others where there are needs. They are the ones giving back and benefiting us all.

January 2012