ST. PETERSBURG — What began as taking over a longtime family-owned eye care practice has turned into a mission to help students and veterans in Pinellas County get the vision care they need.
Jeremy Camargo and Tara Camargo, owners of St. Petersburg Eye Care Specialists (SPECS) since 2015, have spent the past year providing free eyeglasses to students and veterans whose families can’t afford them or lack insurance coverage.
In March 2025, the Moxy Vision Program officially became a nonprofit, with plans to expand through a mobile vision unit that will bring eye care directly to local schools, eliminating the transportation barrier for many families.
According to Jeremy Camargo, president of Moxy Vision, the program has already provided about 100 pairs of free glasses to children across Pinellas County.
The meaning behind “Moxy”
The Camargos said that “Moxy” represents grit, determination, and resilience — values that have become central to their life and business.
For Jeremy Camargo, the name carries deep personal meaning. After losing his father to COVID-19 and battling alcoholism during the pandemic, he found strength in recovery and a renewed sense of purpose.
Now sober for four years, he said the idea for Moxy Vision was born from a desire to give back.
“I found my inner ‘Moxy,’ and I’ve never looked back,” Jeremy Camargo said. “This is about more than just vision care. It’s about resilience, purpose, and giving back.”
He hopes that by sharing his story, others will feel inspired to overcome challenges.
“I hope the program does more than just help people see clearly,” Jeremy Camargo said. “I want it to inspire others to find their own ‘Moxy’ and the strength to overcome whatever challenges they face.”
Another inspiration behind the nonprofit’s name came from a patient who became a close friend of the Camargos — a man they described as positive, even while fighting cancer.
"He was able to still be positive and do everything he could for everybody around him, even when his own world was crashing in," Dr. Tara Camargo said.
That friend passed away six months ago, but Jeremy Camargo still feels the impact he had.
“One day he stopped by the office before his radiation treatment and gave me a book about never giving up,” Jeremy Camargo said. “It was just so inspirational. So, that kind of shaped what I'm doing with the nonprofit and to make it happen.”
Empowering students through vision
Tara Camargo said the program’s goal is to help children feel confident about receiving the eye care they need so they can stay focused and succeed in school.
"One thing we can give them is the ability to feel empowered and self-confident by providing eye care," Tara Camargo said.
The idea to give free glasses began when a patient mentioned that student athletes at a local high school were playing sports and attending class without the glasses they needed.
While the students had primary care providers, many lacked the resources to replace broken or outdated eyewear.
“We found that kids who break their glasses in the first month, can’t afford new ones,” Tara Camargo said. “So, they’re waiting 11 months to get a new pair.”
The Camargos also discovered that many veterans face significant barriers to affordable vision care, including long wait times through the Veteran Affairs system.
Jeremy hopes to expand Moxy Vision’s reach to veterans by partnering with local VA services and providing glasses to those who need them most.
A mobile vision unit
Transportation proved to be another major hurdle, with students missing eye exams due to a lack of reliable rides. That’s when the Camargos had an idea: bring the eye care directly to the schools.
With the help of Jeremy’s brother, a contractor, they are currently building a 20-foot mobile trailer equipped with optometry equipment. The mobile unit is expected to be operational by the end of July 2025 and will provide on-site eye exams and eyewear to students in need.
“Ultimately, what drove me to do this was realizing there was nothing else like this here,” Jeremy Camargo said. “With the mobility and flexibility of the mobile unit, we can respond quickly whenever schools or families reach out.”
The Camargos hope to eventually expand Moxy Vision’s reach across Florida, but for now, their focus remains on serving Pinellas County.
“Once this is up and running, we’ll see the impact and where we can take it from there,” Jeremy Camargo said.
St. Petersburg Eye Care Specialists is located at 1900 1st Ave. N., with a second location at 1903 Tyrone Blvd. N. in St. Petersburg.
For more information visit: https://specseyedoc.com/
Donation link: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VXS7KMZTGMHCC
