RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif., Aug. 2, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VSP® Vision Care, the nation's largest not-for-profit vision benefits and services provider, today announced that more than 775,000 adults and children throughout the United States have received free eyecare and eyewear, as a result of VSP charity care programs.
Since 1997, VSP has invested nearly $150 million for the purpose of providing comprehensive eye exams and glasses if needed to low-income, underinsured adults and children through VSP charity care programs such as Sight for Students® and VSP Mobile Eyes®. Additionally, VSP supports communities across the United States affected by natural disasters by working directly with VSP network doctors, business partners and relief agencies to provide essential eyecare to those in need.
"VSP's dedication to service can be directly attributed to the core philosophy of the optometrists who founded the company back in 1955," said Jim McGrann, president of VSP Vision Care. "These outreach programs, continue their legacy of commitment to the community."
Sight for Students
VSP's longest running charitable program, Sight for Students, provides free comprehensive eye exams and glasses, if needed, to up to more than 50,000 children each year including the Quillin Family in Dalhart, TX.
"Trey and his brother both needed exams," said Trey Quillin's mother. "However, financially at that time, I was unable to provide them with the necessary eyecare. I learned about the Sight for Students program and went on to get exams and glasses for each of my sons. When Trey first put the glasses on, the look on his face was priceless! He said, 'Mom, I can see!' It brought tears to my eyes to know that he was ecstatic about the simple thing we take for granted, our sight."
The program works with non-profit community organizations that identify eligible children to receive eyecare and eyewear – including Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Communities in Schools, Head Start, National Association of School Nurses, and Prevent Blindness America.
"Together we have been able to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of children and their parents by making healthy eyesight a reality," said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America. "We commend VSP on this milestone."
VSP Mobile Eyes
Partnering with VSP network doctors, the VSP Mobile Eyes program evolved from VSP relief efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The program now features three deluxe mobile clinics with state-of-the-art exam rooms, dispensaries and finishing labs in two of the clinics to make eyewear on site.
To date, VSP has responded to more than 100 natural disasters. Disaster relief efforts have included tornado-affected areas of Tuscaloosa, AL and Joplin, MO.
"Partnering with VSP has helped us provide vision products to individuals affected by disasters, which supports their recovery and keeps them moving forward with their lives," said Antoinette Kaguyutan, Director of Disaster Fundraising from the American Red Cross. "We are grateful for their continued support."
When not at disaster sites, the mobile eyecare clinics travel to community events across the U.S. to provide eyecare and eyewear to the underserved. Since the first mobile clinic debuted in 2007, more than 1,000 VSP doctors have volunteered their time and services at more than 480 events.
For more information about VSP community outreach programs, please visit vspglobal/GlobalOutreach.
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About VSP Global
VSP GlobalSM includes VSP Vision Care, the largest not-for-profit vision benefits and services company in the United States with 57 million members; Marchon® Eyewear Inc., one of the world's largest manufacturers, designers and distributors of quality fashion and technologically-advanced eyewear and sunwear; Eyefinity®/Officemate® which offer innovative solutions and the premier management software and technology to improve overall practice management and patient experience; VSP Optics Group, industry leaders in new technologies, production processes, service and logistics.
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