“Eyecare About Reading” Book Drive Competition Provides Free Books and Eye Exams to Children Across the U.S.
Atlanta, GA July 16, 2012 – To read well, a child first needs to see well, as 80 percent of what we learn is through our eyes. However, an astonishing one in four children has an undetected vision problem – many of which are due to lack of vision care. To shed light on the critical role healthy vision plays in helping to develop a child’s passion for reading & learning VSP Vision Care, Transitions Optical and Bess the Book Bus have launched the national “Eyecare About Reading” Bood Drive Competition. The Book Drive will provide free books, eye exams and glasses (when needed), totaling more than 2 million dollars to children in need.
Three well known bloggers from across the country, including my friend & Atlanta blogger Meghan Cooper from Atlanta Moms on the Move, will compete to collect the most books for the Atlanta area through August 22. The books will be donated to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta as well as to Bess the Book Bus, a mobile literacy outreach program that travels across the country providing free books to underprivileged children in schools, shelters and community organizations.
“Reading opens worlds of opportunities for children throughout their academic and personal lives,” shared Jennifer Frances, founder of Bess the Book Bus. “I am thrilled to be a part of this campaign, which will help to spread the love of reading to kids, many of whom have never had a book of their own or access to proper eye care, potentially hindering their reading skills.”
Eye Health & Reading:
- 80% of what we learn is through our eyes and an astonishing one in four children have an undetected vision problem.
- Approximately 20% of school-aged children struggle to read. A large portion of these children have vision problems that interfere with their ability to read.
- 10% of school aged children have eye teaming problems, which causes visual strain and words to appear blurred or scrambled.
- While it’s recommended that children get an annual eye exam every year once they start kindergarten, it has been reported that more than 76% of American children under the age of five have never received a comprehensive eye exam.
How the Book Drive works:
For every three books donated in the competition (either through the bloggers or online), VSP will donate one free eye exam (and, if needed, glasses fitted with Transitions lenses) to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for children without access to these services.
VSP will provide up to 5,500 free eye exams in total for the campaign, a value of more than $2,000,000. If Atlanta collects the most books Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta will receive an additional 100 free eye exams (and glasses with Transitions lenses), as well as a special visit from Bess the Book Bus and the VSP/Transitions Optical Mobile Eyes Clinic nicknamed Eyenstein.
How to participate:
Attn: Lisa Gaither
Morrow, GA 30260-3312
404-785-8660
Children’s at North Point
Alpharetta, GA 30022-8247
404-785-8540
Children’s at Satellite Boulevard
Duluth, GA 30096-5803
404-785-8330
Children’s at Town Center
2985 George Busbee Parkway
Kennesaw, GA 30144-6812
404-785-8010
410 Peachtree Parkway, Suite 300
Cumming, GA 30041-7407
404-785-3100
