DULUTH, Ga.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--National Vision Inc., one of the nation’s largest optical retailers providing comprehensive, quality, affordable eye care and eyewear, and its America’s Best Contacts and Eyeglasses brand announced the results of its successful inaugural year of partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of America, having provided more than 4,400 kids and teens access to free vision screenings, comprehensive eye exams and glasses to-date.
The partnership has allowed National Vision to continue its ongoing mission to make eye care and eyewear more affordable and accessible. The partnership implemented a successful pilot program followed by full implementation that resulted in these youth receiving screenings across 77 Clubs across 26 states. Of the kids and teens who participated in eye exams and showed signs of vision impairment year-to-date, approximately 98 percent needed glasses, demonstrating that the partnership is meeting a need for vision care among our nation’s youth.
“We believe that the ability to see clearly is absolutely essential in giving children the opportunity to succeed in life, and we are honored to provide these important services to members of Boys & Girls Clubs around the country,” said Bob Stein, Chief Philanthropic Development Officer of National Vision Inc., which includes the America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses brand. “This partnership has shown us that there is a true need for these services and we are proud to expand this program nationally in order to continue to make a difference in the lives of children around the country.”
“Boys & Girls Clubs of America is extremely excited to count National Vision as our partner, providing Boys & Girls Club members with the opportunity to, literally, see great futures for themselves,” said Chad Royal-Pascoe, National Vice President of Corporate & Cause Partnerships with Boys & Girls Clubs of America. “National Vision’s mission to provide accessible, affordable eyewear supports our own mission of enabling all youth, especially those who need us most, with the tools and resources they need to achieve and succeed. With terrific results in the inaugural year of this partnership, we are eager to support the eye health of even more kids and teens in the years to come.”
Additionally, the partnership has been recognized by the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) Foundation, which awarded National Vision with the 2016 Retailer Community Support Award. In the spirit of the partnership’s goals, the ICSC will be donating $5,000 to Boys & Girls Clubs of America as National Vision’s partnering charity.
About National Vision
National Vision Inc. is one of the largest optical retail companies in the United States with more than 930 stores in 44 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. With a mission of helping people by making quality eye care and eyewear more affordable and accessible, the company operates five retail divisions: America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses, Eyeglass World, Vision Centers inside select Walmart stores, Vista Optical inside Fred Meyer and Optical Centers on select military bases offering a variety of products and services for customers’ eye care needs. For more information, please visit www.nationalvision.com.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of America
For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (GreatFutures.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, more than 4,100 Clubs serve nearly 4 million young people annually through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native lands throughout the country, and serve military families in BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, fun, friendship, and high-impact youth development programs on a daily basis during critical non-school hours. Priority programs emphasize academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. In a Harris Survey of alumni, 54 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta. Learn more at http://www.bgca.org/facebook and http://bgca.org/twitter.
