FramesDirect.com Founder Inspired by American Idol Contestant's Foundation
Chairman Coordinates Donations to Danny Gokey's Sophia's Heart Foundation
Houston, TX (PRWEB) June 18, 2009 -- A near tragedy for Dr. Guy Hodgson, a founder and chairman of leading online eyewear provider, led FramesDirect.com to an independent fund raising effort for a well-deserved foundation, a foundation that happened to be set up by a contestant on the "American Idol" TV show.
Dr. Hodgson with his son, Matthew, shortly after the heart surgery.
Avid "American Idol" fan Dr. Guy Hodgson and his wife had 14-week premature triplets in March 2008, leading to heart operations for two of the babies, one a seven-hour open-heart surgery. The baby's heart actually had to be stopped and he was put on a bypass machine. Fortunately, the heart defect was repaired and all of the babies are now thriving. You can view the story of Dr. Hodgson's triplets including pictures and video at http://www.totsites.com/tot/hodgson3.
Dr. Hodgson was very touched when watching the story of "American Idol" finalist Danny Gokey and the love he had for his late wife, who also had a heart condition and died in July 2008, four weeks prior to Mr. Gokey's "Idol" audition.
The Fashion Team on TV Guide's "Idol Wrap Up" show wanted to feature the eyewear worn by Gokey during his performances on "American Idol" and direct the public to the fan web site, DannyGokeyGear.com, for more information on the various frames. DannyGokeyGear.com contacted FramesDirect.com, to arrange for an easy way for fans to purchase the eyewear.
The frames worn by Danny on Idol are frames made by major manufacturers and were already available on the FramesDirect.com web site. For Dr. Hodgson, giving a portion of the profits of these frame sales seemed like a simple and effective way to help a cause that was near and dear to him.
FramesDirect.com agreed to split the gross profits with the fan site, because DannyGokeyGear.com will be donating a portion of the profits to Sophia's Heart Foundation. When there appeared to be some confusion in the social media over the campaign's intentions, Dr. Hodgson decided he would also make contributions directly to the foundation himself. His first hand experience of his own children undergoing heart operations made this fund raising effort very personal to him. To emphasize his personal commitment to the cause, Hodgson also pledged to give 50% of the remaining FramesDirect.com profit from all sales of these frames between May 24, 2009 and July 21, 2009, regardless of whether the purchase is made by a fan, to Sophia's Heart Foundation. Dr. Hodgson has contacted Sophia's Heart Foundation to inform them of the pending donation.
As of June 12, 2009, sixty-two frames have been sold. FramesDirect.com and DannyGokeyGear.com will continue to monitor sales and make their final donations on July 22nd 2009.
Dr. Hodgson said, "I know the endless hours of anguish as a loved one undergoes open heart surgery. If a frame we already sell, but is also worn by Danny, can help a child then this is a cause I wish to contribute to. This is personal to me."
"It appears there may have been some confusion among Danny's fans and perhaps even Danny himself about this project," Dr. Hodgson said. "Hopefully, this information will clarify the situation and my personal involvement and also increase the awareness among the public of Sophia's Heart Foundation," he added.
Please feel free to contact Dr. Guy Hodgson at gwhodgson (at) framesdirect (dot) com
About FramesDirect.com
Dr. Dhavid Cooper and Dr. Guy Hodgson have been in practice in the Houston area for over 20 years and founded FramesDirect.com in 1996. They have a Houston eye care office and eyewear showroom. The family of optical websites includes The Eye Zone. The office can be reached at 1-800-248-9427.
Contact:
Richard V. Burckhardt
713-914-0011 x250
Skype: rburckhardt
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