Vision Is Priceless (VIP) was founded in 1996 and their mission is to assess, sustain, and improve the visual health of children and adults in Northeast Florida through education, vision screenings, eye exams, prescription glasses and referrals for additional testing for potential surgery- all for prevention of early detection of vision problems. Vision Is Priceless is the only organization in NE Florida { Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Nassau, and Baker Counties } providing free exams and glasses for children uninsured and underserved. DWA’s 2023-24 monetary benefits help economically disadvantaged students in the “Sight in Schools Children’s Vision Program” at Greenfield Elementary a Title 1 public school in the Deercreek school district during the first half of the school year (Please see below for a great Thank You to all of you!!).
Overall School year “Sight in Schools Program” Updates
During the 2023-2024 school year:
- Held 134 Sight in Schools clinics in local elementary, middle, and high schools;
- Provided 35,735 vision screenings for children ages 3-18 for the early detection of vision issues;
- Provided 2,642 comprehensive eye exams for students in need while at school;
and distributed 2,261 prescription eyeglasses enabling students to see their world clearly.
VIP has already scheduled 130 Sight in Schools clinics for the 2024-2025 school year in Duval, Clay, and St Johns counties.
Fun fact: VIP organization works with other DWA featured other charities!
- Mandarin Food Bank –held vision screenings at the Mandarin Food Bank.
- PACE Center for Girls –provide free eye exams to girls from PACE Center from Girls. This past March we provided 8 girls from PACE with free eye exams and glasses.
Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities:
Volunteer opportunities at two (2) Sight in Schools clinics:
- Holiday Hill Elementary (6900 Altama Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32216) on Oct 11th and Nov 14th
- Time volunteers are needed is approximately from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Need a max of two volunteers for each clinic
- 8th Annual Strides for Awareness Walk
The 8th Annual Strides For Sight Awareness Walk will be held on Saturday, November 23, 2024. Check in and activities begin at 9am and the walk starts at 9am. The walk will be held at Riverside Park, 753 Park St, Jacksonville, FL 32204. More info on DWA team coming up soon!!!!!!!!The Strides For Sight Awareness Walk is a FREE, fun, family-friendly event held to raise awareness and funds to improve vision health and access to vision care.
Volunteers are needed in the areas of: event set up and break down, registration and check-in, water stations, greeters, route cheer stations, snack table, family fun activities, photography/videography, and soliciting giveaways (pre-event.)
More information on this wonderful organization can be found on their website visionispriceless.org
Stay tuned for more info on the Walk ! For any other questions, please reach out to Vandana Srinivas at rvsrinivas@comcast.net
