Boston Kids Enjoy Free Davis Vision Screenings
Boys & Girls Club, New England Patriots Co-Host Health Clinic
PLAINVIEW, NY (April 1, 2008) – Some came by bus. Others walked, and still more were driven by their parents. But all 124 children ages 6 through 18 who attended Davis Vision’s recent screening clinic near Boston came away smiling, with either a thumbs-up vision evaluation or a voucher for free follow-up eye care. Some also left with sunglasses and other giveaways, including an autographed New England Patriots jersey that one lucky child won in a raffle.
This was no ordinary medical checkup, which many children approach with trepidation. The setting for this event, co-sponsored by the Patriots and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston, was a familiar location well loved by the kids—the Jordan Boys and Girls Club in Chelsea, MA—and “the atmosphere at the event was amazing,” according to Michelle Perez, the Jordan center’s Director of Operations.
“The children were excited, and the representatives from Davis Vision’s Cambridge Eye Doctors and the Patriots were enthusiastic and very engaged with the children who participated. Everyone really enjoyed the day,” said Perez. Tom Rosa, Davis Vision’s Senior Vice President, Store Operations/Marketing, agreed, adding, “All of our associates were thrilled to participate in such a great event.”
Good vision is essential for children’s physical and intellectual development and can be ensured only through regular comprehensive eye examinations. “A comprehensive eye examination can diagnose not only the refractive errors that may impede a child’s development, but also such childhood eye disorders as amblyopia, which can cause irreversible vision loss if it is not treated,” said Joseph Carlomusto, Davis Vision’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Poor vision affects academic performance; however, many families cannot afford to have their children examined by an eye care professional.”
To address these needs, “Davis Vision reaches out regularly to the communities that we serve, to do our part to help alleviate these problems,” added Laura Dyer, Davis Vision’s Assistant Vice President, Strategic Events and Community Relations.
The Davis Vision evaluation was the first eye screening that many of the attending children had ever experienced, and 46 of them were in need of corrective eyeglasses and follow-up care. Every child who did not pass the vision screening is being scheduled for a free follow-up eye examination and free prescription eyeglasses at a local Cambridge Eye Doctors office.
”Unfortunately, many of these kids may not have received the needed vision correction in a timely manner if it hadn’t been for the screening,” said Rosa. “Our hats are off to the Jordan Boys and Girls Club organization for helping to make these positive outcomes a reality.”
“We strive to be a valuable community resource, and relish any opportunity to provide our members with medical care and other needed services,” said Josh Kraft, Executive Director for the Jordan Boys and Girls Club.
Davis Vision has a long history of involvement in local community outreach programs. To follow the great success of its vision screening clinics sponsored throughout 2007, the company has scheduled a full slate of clinics for 2008. Screenings are planned for Buffalo, NY; Pittsburgh, PA; Harrisburg, PA; Carlisle, PA; and Houston, TX, as well as various YMCA locations nationally. More screening clinics will be added to the 2008 schedule in the months ahead.
About Davis Vision
Davis Vision is part of the HVHC Inc. group of companies, which also includes Viva International Group and Eye Care Centers of America. One of the nation's premier managed vision care companies, Davis Vision has been providing comprehensive vision benefits for over 45 years, and currently serves over 55 million individuals nationwide through an extensive blended network of approximately 30,000 ophthalmologists and optometrists, in addition to many opticians and top national retail providers.
