Ann's love of animals has led to the creation of The Pixie Project a foundation named in honor of her rescued terrier mix. The project is being established to provide veterinary services (especially spay and neuter) for low-income families and will be funded through her new business, Amy Sacks Eyewear and Accessories. Amy Sacks Eyewear and Accessories is a collection of reading glasses, reading sunglasses, sunglasses and chic accessories. Ann's daughter, Amy, a leader in her community's animal rescue efforts from the age of eighteen, will organize and lead volunteers to provide veterinary services for low-income families. "The return on spay and neuter is exponential," says Amy. "So much suffering can be avoided when you can spay or neuter a single pet."
Ann adds, "My new business means more to me than the challenge of successfully weaving together art and commerce. My vision is to create products that can be enjoyed by mature men and women, while working with my daughter Amy, and helping the animals we love."
You may find many of the stunning Amy Sacks Eyewear frames and accessories locally, at Reynolds Optical, Mario's or online at www.amysacks.com.
Ann and her husband, Robert, have been Oregonians since 1970. Ann's second business, Design and Direct Source, is her new tile and stone sourcing company for large-scale commercial projects including hotels, condos, malls, museums and transportation.
Currently, Ann and Robert reside in NW Portland with their dog, Pixie and their cat, Ray. They have been married for thirty-six years and are the proud parents of David and Amy.
Portlanders might know Ann Sacks for the beautiful designs she brought to Ann Sacks Tile and Stone, a company she founded in 1981 and from which she recently retired. We at Reynolds Optical are proud to say that we know her as a customer, vendor and friend. We have discovered that behind this nationally renowned businesswoman there is a fiery personality with fabulous ideas, two new businesses and many causes close to her heart.
Ann has served on numerous boards and committees including Become X (a career and life skills development program for young women), Lighthouse International (an organization helping people who are blind or partially sighted overcome vision loss challenges), the Jewish Federation, the American Jewish Committee and Self Enhancement, Inc. (a comprehensive youth development organization). Ann was recently honored for her "Individuality" by Become X and was an honoree in Manhattan at the Inside DecArts annual Visionaries Gala benefiting Lighthouse International.
At the forefront of Ann's vision is the care and well-being of animals in need. For nearly forty years, she and her husband Robert have fostered and adopted stray pets. Ann has supported local animal clinics, the Johnson County Humane Society in Iowa City, Iowa and Witty Kitties, a shelter for cats with special needs.