United Way, LensCrafters to put glasses on 200 needy children

The screenings and follow-up appointments are free.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- United Way of Trumbull County has joined forces with LensCrafters to help nearly 200 children receive free eye exams and glasses.
The Vision Van -- a 40-foot van staffed with volunteers who man two fully-equipped eye exam stations -- will visit the Niles and Boardman LensCrafters stores this fall, but pre-screening sessions to determine those eligible for the services will take place next week.
United Way will work with local school nurses and social service agencies to find roughly 200 children in kindergarten through 12th grade who need glasses.
Free pre-screenings are scheduled for 8:30-11 a.m. Tuesday at the LensCrafters in the Eastwood Mall and from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday in the Boardman Plaza store. Officials are asking that only children in low-income families attend the screenings.
Registration is not required for the pre-screenings, but only those who attend the sessions next week are eligible for appointments with the Vision Van staff in the fall.
The Gift of Sight
The screenings and the follow-up appointments are provided free by LensCrafters' Give the Gift of Sight program.
Any child who is screened next week and is found to be a candidate for glasses will receive a follow-up Vision Van appointment Sept. 13 in Niles or Sept. 14 in Boardman.
"The Vision Van was in the Trumbull County area about three years ago, but this is the first time LensCrafters has partnered with United Way for this program," explained John Wilson, store manager of the LensCrafters in the Eastwood Mall.
The two entities have worked together since 1993, however, on Hometown Day, which allows any resident of any age to receive exams and glasses. That program take places every fall.
The Vision Van program targets only children and will help supplement the Hometown Day this year, explained Chris Malanga, director of communications for the United Way of Trumbull County.
"This year, we might be able to focus a little more on adults for Hometown Day," he said. "When all is said and done, we hope to have helped about 230 people get the glasses they need."
For information on the Vision Van program, contact Wilson at (330) 652-5200.
slshaulis@vindy.com