DWA has chosen a new charity to support this year.
Vision Is Priceless (VIP) was founded in 1996 and its 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 – all for the prevention of early detection of vision problems. Vision Is Priceless serves Duval, Clay, St. Johns, Nassau, and Baker Counties for both the uninsured and underserved.
VIP is a new charity for DWA and plans to help on two fronts:
First, provide monetary benefits to reach more students in Title 1 public schools in Duval County in the “Sight in Schools Children’s Vision Program” where they bring an optometrist to provide comprehensive eye exams and provide prescription glasses during school. Money from DWA will pay for students at Holiday Hill Elementary to receive free eye exams and glasses. Out of 207 total schools within 7 districts, Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) system has 125 Title I schools which are federally funded programs that help schools that have a high concentration of students who are economically disadvantaged. Holiday Hill is a Title I public school in the Deercreek school district and more than 76% of the students attending are from low-income families. The students face a myriad of social determinants of health. Eliminating vision issues is one tool that can give a student a better chance at success in the classroom.
Even during Covid between January 2020- January 2021 VIP still strived to maintain their mission:
268 eye exams were given in schools
224 prescription glasses distributed
25,596 vision screening
2,915 referrals for eye exams that were sent home to their parents
Secondly, Volunteer time to help in vision screening for both children and adults as well as help in supporting walks such as “The Strides for Sight Vision Awareness Walk” to be held in November and other fundraisers to bring awareness of SIGHT, because when you see better you live better!
More information on this wonderful organization can be found on their website https://visionispriceless.org