Eye Pledge Sets its Sights on 50,000 At-Risk Youth Across America

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif., Aug. 17, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the most important exams in a students' school year isn't administered in the classroom, but rather in the optometrist's office. For millions of children around the U.S., vision problems that go undetected, and a lack of access to eye exams and glasses, make learning a challenge. To provide children in need with quality eyecare, VSP® Vision Care (VSP) launched the Eye Pledge campaign, which will provide up to 50,000 free eye exams and glasses to Boys & Girls Club kids around the country, with a value of more than $19 million.

VSP, the largest not-for-profit vision benefits and services company in the United States, launched the Eye Pledge campaign to support and promote the importance of healthy vision. People nationwide are encouraged to give back by taking the Eye Pledge at www.SeeMuchMore.com and selecting either their local Boys & Girls Club or choosing to donate to a Club with the greatest need. For every Eye Pledge taken, a gift certificate, valid for a comprehensive eye exam and, if needed, a pair of glasses, will be donated by VSP.

"Boys & Girls Clubs of America believes that every child can achieve a great future," said Sharon Hemphill, senior director of health and life skills at Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA). "We are dedicated to helping them get there and are thankful for our partners such as VSP, whose Eye Pledge provides critical services to our Club kids that helps to eliminate just some of the health and wellness challenges they face every day."

"VSP is excited for both the opportunity to positively impact Boys & Girls Club members in need across the U.S., as well as to highlight the importance of eyecare," said Kate Renwick-Espinosa, chief marketing officer of VSP Global™.

To date, through VSP charity programs including VSP Mobile Eyes® and Sight for Students®, and through relationships with partners like BGCA, VSP has donated more than $138 million in free eye care and glasses to more than 715,000 children and adults. These services have resulted in the early detection of nearly 2,000 chronic health and eye diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, glaucoma and cataracts in children across the country.

For more information about the VSP Eye Pledge campaign and to take the pledge, please visit www.SeeMuchMore.com. The site also includes an interactive, virtual savings calculator to learn about savings with VSP vision benefits, allows users to browse the latest eyewear styles, and provides helpful information about healthy vision.

About VSP Global

VSP Global includes VSP Vision Care, the largest not-for-profit vision benefits and services company in the United States with 56 million members; Marchon Eyewear Inc., one of the world's largest manufacturers, designers and distributors of quality fashion and technologically-advanced eyewear and sunwear; Eyefinity/Officemate which offer innovative solutions and the premier management software and technology to improve overall practice management and patient experience; VSP Labs, industry leaders in new technologies, production processes, service and logistics.

About Boys & Girls Clubs of America

For more than 100 years, Boys & Girls Clubs of America (bgca.org) has enabled young people most in need to achieve great futures as productive, caring, responsible citizens. Today, nearly 4,000 Boys & Girls Clubs serve some 4 million children and teens through Club membership and community outreach. Clubs are located in cities, towns, public housing and on Native American lands throughout the country and on U.S. military installations worldwide. They provide a safe place, caring adult mentors, 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, 57 percent said the Club saved their lives. National headquarters are located in Atlanta.

VSP Contact: Jill Novelo
P: (916) 851-4352
E: [email protected]

SOURCE VSP Global