Davis Vision and Visionworks Score Slam Dunk for Chicago Children’s Eye Health
PLAINVIEW, N.Y. (March 19, 2010) - Fans of the Morgan Park High School Boys Basketball team had reason to cheer at the Feb. 19 game of the week. Their team was victorious over Marshall High School at the Chicago Public League Boy's Championship Game, and for 150 Chicago students, there was additional reason to celebrate. Davis Vision and Visionworks partnered to provide free vision screenings prior to the game, and all participants and their parents received game tickets.
The CPS Game of the Week, broadcast on WCIU-TV, is one of the biggest events in the area, and always draws huge crowds. As part of its commitment to the Chicago community, Visionworks and Davis Vision made the recent screening event even greater by bringing vision services to those in need, many of whom might not otherwise receive these services. As the excitement electrified the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC) Pavilion at halftime, WCIU-TV spoke with James Fehrer of Visionworks about the company's outreach efforts with the Chicago Public School System and the importance of vision care.
"It's very easy for a business to come in, hang out the shingle, and just start doing business," said WCIU-TV's Jim Blaney, veteran play-by-play announcer for CPS Game of the Week. "Visionworks does more, and is very committed to the communities they serve in many ways, including free screenings and even free eyewear, in some cases, to those in need."
The screenings at the UIC Pavilion were offered through Davis Vision's Focus on AmericaSM nationwide outreach initiative, which targets children from families with limited resources or without access to eye care. About half of the 150 children seen are in need of follow-up care and each received a voucher for a free comprehensive exam and eyewear, if needed, at local Visionworks stores. Davis Vision and Visionworks also provided giveaways and educational information about the importance of eye care and regular vision checkups.
Davis Vision's Focus on AmericaSM and Sight from AmericaSM outreach programs offer vision services and eyewear to individuals in need across the United States and throughout the world. To date, Davis Vision has donated more $13 million in products and services through its outreach initiatives.
More information about Davis Vision's Focus on America local vision screenings opportunities is available by contacting communityrelations@davisvision.com.
A video of James Fehrer's interview with WCIU, The U, is available at www.gameoftheweekcps.com/visionworks.php.
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 vision benefits companies headquartered in Plainview, N.Y., Davis Vision has been providing comprehensive vision benefits for nearly 50 years, and currently serves more than 55 million individuals nationwide through an extensive blended network of nearly 30,000 ophthalmologists and optometrists, in addition to many opticians and top national retail providers. For more information about Davis Vision, visit www.davisvision.com.
About Visionworks
Visionworks is a subsidiary of Eye Care Centers of America, Inc., a leading provider of eye care services with more than 430 optical retail stores in 35 states. For more information about Visionworks, visit www.visionworkseyewear.com. Eye Care Centers of America, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of HVHC, Inc., a Highmark company. For more information about Eye Care Centers of America, visit www.ecca.com.
Students from Chicago Public Schools gather in the UIC Pavilion to eagerly await their free vision screening before the big game.
