Dodgers Team Up With Non-Profit To Provide Eye Exams, Glasses For Kids
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The Dodgers have announced a partnership between the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and Vision To Learn, a non-profit organization that provides free eye exams and glasses to elementary school students in low-income communitites.
"The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation seeks to partner with organizations that are making a measured impact in our community," Dodgers Co-Owner and Foundation Chairman Mark Walter said in a statement. "Vision To Learn is doing great work in providing kids the tools they need to succeed in the classroom and on the field. Our partnership with Vision To Learn helps us support one of our key foundation pillars, Health and Wellness, by providing free eye glasses to elementary school students throughout the Greater Los Angeles area. We are excited to be working with them on this effort."
Vision To Learn founder, Austin Beutner, met with Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti, catcher A.J. Ellis, and reliever Brandon League on Monday to launch the partnership in an event at Dorris Place Elementary School in Los Angeles.
The event included the distribution of eye glasses to students, with the help of Colletti, Ellis and League.
Ellis and League, who both wear glasses, filmed a PSA for Vision To Learn and will be featured on one of the Vision To Learn mobile eye exam vehicles.
The pair will host a total of 500 guests, including kids who received eye glasses and their family, when the Dodgers host the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday, May 24. The children will be recognized on the field.
"The Dodgers have been great partners since we launched," Beutner said. "Vision To Learn gives every kid a chance to succeed, in the classroom and in life."
Vision To Learn was launched in March 2012, and has provided more than 8,000 free eye exams, and over 6,000 pairs of free glasses to Los Angeles students.
It is estimated that 30,000 to 40,000 K-5 kids in Los Angeles need glasses to see the chalkboard and/or read a book.
