BY ANA RISANO
Insider Staff Writer
The driving idea behind Vision 4 Moore was simple: to help those who help others. And that’s what it did for a decade. But the nonprofit’s fundraising success with popular concerts outgrew the team, leading it to step away from the stage.
Vision 4 Moore was founded by the late philanthropist Bob Baillie and Pamela Partis. The nonprofit’s final concert — an Eagles tribute band — was set to play and benefit MIRA Foundation USA before being rained out twice. Despite no concert, proceeds from ticket sales will benefit MIRA, also co-founded by the late Baillie.
“Vision 4 Moore was never just about one event; it was about the incredible people who made it all possible,” said Partis, giving special thanks to Baillie, board chair Chris Jordan and treasurer Mary Ann Brown.
Baillie lost his sight in his 60s, following complications from heart bypass surgery. His friend Dr. Guy Bouvier encouraged him to get a guide dog, and when Baillie received Devon, an intensely trained Bernese Mountain dog from the MIRA Foundation in Montreal, he said his days became fulfilling once again. More than a companion, Devon — and later his second MIRA dog, DJ — also provided a social bridge to the community.
Baillie was so inspired by the difference in his own quality of life that, together with his late wife, Elaine, and Bouvier, the trio co-founded MIRA Foundation USA in 2009. The nonprofit organization provides guide dogs for children ages 11 to 17.
Baillie passed away in 2017, a little more than a year after Vision 4 Moore began to assist other Moore County-based nonprofits in raising funding and awareness for their causes. Six years ago, Vision 4 Moore partnered with Cooper Ford, in Carthage, to present the Cooper Ford Concert Series, which has brought live music and community spirit to the Sandhills.
Partis said it was “bittersweet” the final event was rained out, but that the nonprofit “couldn’t be more proud of what we accomplished together. The difference we made and the lives we touched will always be the true measure of Vision 4 Moore’s success.”
In the end, Partis said the events simply outgrew them, with most concerts requiring more than 40 volunteers to direct parking, handle tickets and more. Vision 4 Moore would cover all of the upfront work and ask nonprofit partners to share fliers, provide volunteers and help sell tickets. Proceeds were then split 50/50, with Vision 4 Moore’s portion going forward to offset future event costs.
“It’s been a blast and a blur,” Partis said, noting the nonprofit has raised more than $130,000 for other local charities in the last decade — not including the final event, which they are still tallying up.
Jordan, who became chairman after Baillie passed away, said Vision 4 Moore is proud of its work.
“It was extremely rewarding to all of us. The event just outgrew us,” Jordan said. “We are sad it’s come to an end but happy we could do so much over the past few years.”
Each event was more than a concert — it was a showcase for the partnering local organization. A handful of the nonprofits supported by Vision 4 Moore include Meals on Wheels, Linden Lodge, the Moore Free and Charitable Clinic, the Sandhills/Moore Coalition for Human Care, Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities, and the Companion Animal Clinic Foundation.
Partis and Jordan thanked everyone involved in making the nonprofit a success, including the partnered charities, Cooper Ford, volunteers, audience members, donors and sponsors.
“Yes, Vision 4 Moore has come to an end, but the calling is for all of us in the community to support our local charities,” Jordan said, through time, money and advocacy. “It’s not ending with the concerts. The calling is for everyone in the community to help local charities.”
Contact Ana Risano at (910) 585-6396 or ana@thepilot.com.
