Davis Vision and the United Way Team Up with the Buffalo Bills to Help Children in Need
PLAINVIEW, N.Y. (April 6, 2010) - Davis Vision and Empire Vision Centers recently partnered with the Buffalo Bills and the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, N.Y. to bring free vision screenings to 80 Buffalo area children.
Children from the eight Closing the Gap schools within the Buffalo Public School system attended the events held at the BFNC/CASH and the Matt Urban Hope Centers. Closing the Gap in Student Performance (Closing the Gap) is a highly successful community and school collaboration that integrates health, human and social services to enhance conditions for learning. The Hope Centers, where the screenings were held, are "one-stop," neighborhood-based centers that provide assistance to residents in both communities.
After receiving a vision screening, each child was given either a clean bill of vision health or a voucher for follow-up care, as well as information on maintaining proper eye care. More than half of the children screened were found to be in need of additional eye care services. Local Empire Vision Centers will redeem the voucher and provide a free comprehensive eye exam and if needed, eyewear for each child. Children also enjoyed free giveaways and a visit from Billy Buffalo, the official mascot of the Buffalo Bills.
Davis Vision partnered with the Buffalo Bills for the third consecutive year to offer free vision screenings as part of the company's Focus on AmericaSM program. This program targets uninsured and underinsured children nationwide with free vision services and aims to spread awareness about the importance of taking care of one's eye health.
"Many families may have limited funding and resources for eye care," said Laura Dyer, Davis Vision's assistant vice president of community relations. "Buffalo children who are uninsured or underinsured face additional challenges, and we are pleased to join an effort to help those who need us."
"The screenings were a big success, and we're happy we could serve these families who have little or no access to vision care," said Karen Carman, director of the Matt Urban Hope Center. "The kids loved it and are looking forward to next year."
About Davis Vision
Headquartered in Plainview, N.Y., Davis Vision is one of the America's leading vision benefits companies, providing comprehensive vision benefits for nearly 50 years. More than 55 million individuals nationwide enjoy the benefits of a Davis Vision plan through an extensive network of nearly 30,000 ophthalmologists and optometrists, in addition to many opticians and top national retail providers. Committed to quality vision care, Davis Vision is part of the HVHC Inc. family of companies, which also includes Viva International Group and Eye Care Centers of America. For more information about Davis Vision, visit www.davisvision.com.
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. The programs' goals also include raising awareness on the importance of eye care to help prevent future eye and overall health care problems.
To date, Davis Vision has donated over $13 million in products and services through their outreach initiatives. If you are interested in Davis Vision's Focus on AmericaSM vision screenings for your organization, please contact communityrelations@davisvision.com.
About United Way of Buffalo and Erie County
United Way has been working in the community to effect positive change since 1917. United Way of Buffalo and Erie County helps to meet immediate needs and support vital, community wide initiatives and programs in the areas of education, income and wellness. For more information about the United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, visit http://www.uwbec.org/.
About the Buffalo Bills
Founded in 1959, the Buffalo Bills are one of the most storied franchises in the National Football League (NFL). The Bills are a progressive organization and pride themselves on the regionalization of its team. As Western New York's top-rated sports and entertainment choice, the Bills annually entertain three-quarter of a million fans at Ralph Wilson Stadium, produce the region's number one-rated sports television programming, have one of the NFL's largest fan clubs with the Bills Backers, and host the most visited team Web site in Western New York. For more Bills information, visit buffalobills.com or call (716) 648-1800.
