Press Releases

Community Leaders Address the Importance of Eye Care
for Children; Vision Service Plan and KXTV 10 to Host Event at the California Capitol

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif. (Aug. 31, 2000) - Vision Service Plan (VSP), the nation's largest provider of eye care benefits, and KXTV 10 will partner to raise awareness of the importance of vision care for children at an event to be held on Sept. 18 at 11:30 a.m. on the West Steps of the California Capitol.

VSP President and CEO Roger Valine, along with Sacramento City Unified School District Superintendent Jim Sweeney and California Optometric Association President Edward Hernandez, will address educators, community leaders and other officials about the important role proper vision plays in a child's academic success.

"As children are going back to school, we need to make the community aware that good vision is a key factor in their ability to learn and succeed," says Edward Hernandez, OD "If you can see, you can read!"

The event will be held in connection with VSP's Sight for Students program, a charity that provides free eye exams and glasses for up to 50,000 eligible children across the country each year.

"Reports indicate that one in four school-age children suffer from vision problems, " said Roger Valine, VSP President and CEO. "A study of adolescents classified as delinquent found that 74% failed at least one vision test. Children deserve every opportunity to succeed, and giving them the gift of good vision is one way we can help."

Other pre-event activities will include vision screenings for 100 Head Start pre-school children, reading circles for the children hosted by local celebrities including KXTV 10 on-air talent Jennifer Smith.

For more information on Sight for Students, please call toll-free 888-290-4964 or visit the organization's Web site at www.sightforstudents.org.