Davis Vision & Empire Vision Collect Winter Clothing with Buffalo Bills for Salvation Army
PLAINVIEW, NY (Dec. 5, 2007) – Associates at Empire Vision stores in the Buffalo, NY, area are helping to raise funds and collect warm, new clothing for The Salvation Army - Buffalo Area Services’ Annual Gift of Warmth drive. The Buffalo Bills kicked off the campaign at their November 18 home game.
Associates from local Empire Vision retailers and from Empire Vision’s parent company, Davis Vision, were on hand before the game to collect coats, hats, scarves, gloves and cash donations from Bills fans as they entered the stadium. Ticket-holders were generous, according to Sara M. Bialy of The Salvation Army - Buffalo Area Services. “We had bins at every gate, and they were all overflowing at the end of the collection.”
The Salvation Army has held an annual clothing drive in the Buffalo area for 20 years. Last year alone, the organization was able to provide warm winter clothing to about 8,000 children. “All new donations—which is what we request for the Gift of Warmth drive—are handed out right here at Buffalo Area Services,” said Bialy. “We feel that every child deserves to have new gifts, especially during the holidays.”
The Gift of Warmth drive continues throughout November and December, as Empire Vision customers are invited to fill drop-off boxes in 21 Northwestern New York stores. “We are proud to be involved in this worthwhile annual event,” said Laura Dyer, Davis Vision’s assistant vice president, Strategic Events and Community Relations. “Helping those in need in the local communities that we serve is a Davis Vision tradition that reflects our corporate philosophy.”
The Salvation Army’s Women’s Auxiliary Group sorts through every Gift of Warmth contribution. New mittens or scarves are given to everyone who registers for the organization’s annual Toy Shop. When the Toy Shop is open December 11-14, each child will receive additional new items. Most used clothing is delivered to a Salvation Army store. Cash offerings are sent to The Salvation Army Corps, whose members work in small local neighborhoods to directly aid those in need.
Davis Vision has a long history of helping local charity organizations and communities to raise funds, food and clothing for the less fortunate. The company has been actively involved in the Make-A-Wish Foundation, mercyFirst, United Way and The Interfaith Nutrition Network (INN).
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 nearly 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.
About The Salvation Army
Since 1884, The Salvation Army has been a vital link within Western New York’s human service network. It provides individuals - regardless of age, gender, education, ethnicity or religion - with food, clothing and shelter, as well as social and spiritual support. The mission of The Salvation Army - Buffalo Area Services is to offer hope for a better life by meeting basic human needs.
