Sam Timm
Carrying the Gift Forward
A gift is one of the most profound expressions of love, care, and humanity we can offer. Freely given and without expectation, it is an act from the heart. Some gifts extend far beyond the moment in which they are given, becoming a legacy—one that continues to change lives long after the giver is gone.
The gift of sight is such a gift.
It restores more than vision. It opens the door to independence, connection, and possibility. Its impact ripples outward, touching families, friendships, and entire communities. Between the donor who makes a selfless choice and the recipient whose life is transformed, there is a careful, compassionate journey—one guided by those who understand the sacred responsibility of carrying such a gift forward.
The Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin exists within that sacred space. Through stewardship, precision, and deep respect for donor intent, it ensures that gifts of sight are honored and fulfilled—turning loss into renewal and legacy into light.
This mission holds deep personal meaning for me.
My paternal grandfather lost his sight as a young man. He was a father of four, a devoted husband, a brother, and a friend—gentle, joyful, and full of life. Though his love of storytelling and polka dancing helped him remain connected to others, the loss of his sight undeniably narrowed his world. The work of the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin extends that world for people like my grandfather, restoring dignity, independence, and opportunity.
For several years, I had the privilege of serving as a member of the Lioness Club and the Lions Club. That service felt like a continuation of my grandfather’s story. Through shared commitment, community fundraisers, vision screenings, and fellowship, I came to appreciate the quiet strength of service that defines this work. Even then, I understood its value—though I could not yet grasp its full depth.
That understanding would come later, through profound personal loss.
When our youngest son, Sam, turned 16 in the fall of 2021, he printed his driver’s license at home on his birthday—our world still shaped by COVID. What we did not know then was that he also made a decision that night that would one day change lives: he registered as an organ donor.
Sam was kind, tender‑hearted, and wise beyond his years. He cared deeply about others and was especially sensitive to suffering. When we lost him just over a year later, learning of his choice to become a donor brought a small but powerful light into the darkest moment of our lives. The sharp edges of the Sam‑shaped hole in our hearts were softened by the knowledge that he would live on through others.
Sam’s corneas were donated to two men in southern Wisconsin, restoring their sight. Knowing that his gift allowed them to see again means more to our family than words can express. Through the care and coordination of the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin, Sam’s final act of generosity was honored and carried forward—ensuring that his gift touched lives, offering light and hope.
On the night Sam passed, the sky was lit by the largest and brightest shooting star I have ever seen, descending all the way to the tops of the trees. In that moment, it felt like a quiet reassurance—comfort in our grief, a sense that Sam was at peace. Later, we felt that same gentle comfort again when we learned that his gift of sight had found its way, restoring vision and bringing light to others. In both moments, there was a profound sense of arrival—of love continuing exactly where it was meant to be.
Sam was bright, funny, and endlessly curious. A 17‑year‑old junior in high school, he dreamed of becoming a mechanical engineer. He loved cars, taught himself chess and guitar through online videos, followed the NBA faithfully, and seemed to know the lyrics to every song. He gave the best hugs and had an infectious laugh. Known by many nicknames, he was deeply loved.
He truly saw the world. Through his big, beautiful brown eyes, he took in every experience—documenting our travels with photos and videos as we explored places he had dreamed of seeing, often just a step behind us, quietly taking it all in.
For 17 years, Sam was a gift to us. Through the work of the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin, he continues to be a gift to others. The vision that enriched his life now brings light to new lives, and his legacy has already inspired many who loved him to choose to become donors themselves.
The work of safeguarding and transporting donated tissue is more than logistical—it is deeply human. It carries trust, responsibility, and hope. Each careful step honors the donor’s final wish, connects families across moments of grief and healing, and gives recipients the chance to see the world—and their loved ones—again.
For families like mine, this work makes it possible to move forward, carrying our loved ones with us in a new way—knowing that their impact continues.
Because of that, Sam lives on in others, and for that, my family and I are forever grateful.
– Colleen Timm, Sam’s Mom
