ESSILOR VISION FOUNDATION COMMITS TO BETTER LIFE THROUGH BETTER SIGHT
Foundation provides eye exams and glasses for children in need

DALLAS – (Oct. 3, 2008) – The Essilor Vision Foundation today reaffirms its commitment to helping people achieve better life through better sight by creating and supporting programs that advance good vision and help those who need it most—children. Since its launch in January, the foundation has concentrated its initial efforts on U.S. school children, reaching new heights with its first two programs—Adopt-A-School and Kids Vision for Life, as well as the first annual Essilor Vision Foundation Golf Classic tournament fundraiser.

The Adopt-A-School program focuses on helping children receive needed vision correction by educating parents about the need for annual eye exams and working closely with other non-profit organizations such as Lions Clubs International. This collaboration helps families pay for eye exams and receive eyeglasses that they might not otherwise be able to afford. To date, the program has welcomed 48 volunteers, and has recently launched eight pilot teams for the 2008-2009 school year in California, Florida, Massachusetts, New York, Texas and Utah.

The Kids Vision for Life program is also working with Lions Clubs International to provide eye exams and glasses to children with need in schools identified by the Dallas Independent School District.

“The Essilor Vision Foundation developed these programs to help all children experience the best vision possible and have an equal chance to learn and become productive members of society,” said Audrey Reed, executive director. “We’ve made great strides this year and look forward to extending our reach to help even more families.”

The foundation also furthered its fundraising efforts with the first annual Essilor Vision Foundation Golf Classic, held on Aug. 25 at Nassau Country Club in Glen Clove, N.Y. With 24 on-site volunteers and many generous sponsors, the tournament was a great success.

For more information, on the Essilor Vision Foundation, please visit www.essilorvisionfoundation.org. The site provides general background on the foundation, information about upcoming events, tips for families, facts about vision problems and the ability to easily make donations online via PayPal.