39DollarGlasses Joins Helen Keller International to Ensure Clear Vision for School Children Living in Poverty
New York, NY (PRWEB) February 11, 2014 -- Helen Keller International, a non-profit organization committed to saving sight across the world, has changed the lives of countless children living in the United States through their ChildSight® program.
ChildSight® screens middle school students living in poverty for vision problems – including nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. Students in need are provided with a pair of free prescription eyeglasses to correct their vision. This incredible effort has inspired the online optical company 39DollarGlasses.com to donate thousands of pairs of eyeglasses in support of ChildSight® activities.
Marc Weinstein, CEO of 39DollarGlasses.com, is thrilled about donating to the program. “39DollarGlasses was founded on the belief that everyone should be able to afford high quality prescription eyeglasses. By working with Helen Keller International we have been given a wonderful opportunity to donate our eyeglasses to children in need. It is very exciting to have our glasses be a part of this fantastic program and to be able to work alongside Helen Keller International for such a good cause.”
The optical company is currently supporting the ChildSight® Ohio program, which targets two Cleveland School Districts, Cleveland Metro and East Cleveland, to assist approximately 80 schools in total. To date, ChildSight® Ohio has provided more than 26,000 pairs of free prescription eyeglasses to disadvantaged children, including already 1,358 pairs this school year alone. The program is also supported by financial contributions, including from the Cleveland-based Mt. Sinai Health Care Foundation, which was instrumental in bringing the program to the city in 1999. “Eyeglass donations from 39DollarGlasses.com,” says Nancy Prail, national director of ChildSight®, “allow us to maximize our program impact.”
“Our goal is provide glasses to as many students as we can and it’s so awesome to see the smiles and excitement when we deliver their brand new frames to them,” explains Kortney Hamm, ChildSight® Ohio program manager. “It is a wonderful gift that 39DollarGlasses has provided us eyewear for these children and I know how much the support is appreciated by our ChildSight® program, Helen Keller International, as well as the students who get to wear the latest style frames every day.”
ChildSight® Ohio goes directly into to schools to screen disadvantaged children for vision problems. Next, a licensed optometrist provides a refraction assessment. Once vision problems are assessed and a prescription is determined, students are free to choose from a selection of fashionable frames provided by 39DollarGlasses.com. The optical company then donates the selected eyewear with corrective lenses to Helen Keller International, who then distributes the glasses to students. If required, students in need of full exams receive a referral for additional care at little or no cost to their families.
39DollarGlasses.com is a leading online optical store that offers quality prescription eyewear at great affordable prices. Since 2001, the company has sold prescription glasses, reading glasses, bifocals, progressives, and sunglasses to people all over the world. With high quality materials, a knowledgeable customer service team, and a quick turnaround time, 39DollarGlasses makes it easy to get great eyewear at an amazingly low price. Visit http://www.39DollarGlasses.com for more information.
Founded in 1915 by Helen Keller and George Kessler, the mission of Helen Keller International (HKI) is to save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. HKI combats the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition by establishing programs based on evidence and research in vision, health and nutrition. Headquartered in New York City, HKI’s programs prevent blindness and reduce malnutrition in 21 countries in Africa and Asia, as well as in the United States. Visit http://www.hki.org for more information.
Jeanna Coppola, 39DollarGlasses.com, http://www.39DollarGlasses.com, 631-524-5499, [email protected]
Share this article