Annual award celebration to be held in a series of online activities throughout September
Prevent Blindness announced today that the 2020 Persons of Vision Award ceremony, honoring VSP Global, will be held through a series of virtual celebrations in September.
The Prevent Blindness Persons of Vision Award recognizes an individual, corporation and/or organization whose inspired outlook champions healthy vision and its importance for a healthy life. VSP Global was selected as the recipient of the Persons of Vision Award for its 65-year commitment to a mission of helping people see, as well as its long-term support and partnership with Prevent Blindness.
The original Persons of Vision Award event was scheduled to take place in March of 2020, in conjunction with Vision Expo East, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In lieu of the in-person gala, Prevent Blindness will host a variety of online activities all month long, beginning September 1. Activities will include an online auction throughout the entire month, with proceeds going to support Prevent Blindness. More details may be found at: http://benefitbidding.com/personofvision.
“At Prevent Blindness, we are thrilled about using this new format to recognize VSP Global, and all their dedicated employees for their work providing eyecare services to the public, especially to those who may not otherwise have access to quality care,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “We thank our sponsors for continuing to support Prevent Blindness and our programs, and hope everyone will join us in making this a September to remember!”
VSP Global began its partnership with Prevent Blindness in 1999, following the inception of the first VSP Eyes of Hope initiative, Sight for Students, two years prior. Since then, nearly 123,000 students in need have received no-cost eye care and eyewear valued at more than $22 million through the Sight for Students program alone. In total, VSP Global and Prevent Blindness have expanded access to vision care for more than a quarter of a million adults and children in need. In addition, VSP Global staff has volunteered in various capacities including committee work and services to the Prevent Blindness Board of Directors.
“VSP was founded in 1955 by nine doctors of optometry who were dedicated to serving the community and ensuring access to vision services,” said VSP Global President and CEO Michael Guyette. “We remain committed to continuing their legacy. I’m honored to accept this award on behalf of our organization and in recognition of the significant role access to eye care plays in people’s lives.”
The co-chairpersons of the 2020 Prevent Blindness Persons of Vision Committee are long-time Prevent Blindness volunteer and past Person of Vision Award Honoree, Marge Axelrad, senior vice president, editorial director at Vision Monday/Jobson Optical Group, and Michelle Skinner, Chief Network Officer of VSP Global and current Prevent Blindness Board of Directors member.
The 2020 Persons of Vision Award sponsors include VSP Global, as a Gold Sponsor. Bronze sponsors include AEG Vision, Bausch & Lomb, G-III Apparel Group, Horizon Therapeutics, Novartis Pharmaceutical Corp., Reed Smith, LLC, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, and Safilo. Reception Sponsors include ABB, Calvin Klein, Inc., Essilor of America, Gilbert Displays and Walman Optical Company. Additional sponsors are Allure Eyewear, Bluestar Alliance, Carl Zeiss, Columbia Sportswear Company, Ethis, Inc., Eversana, H & L Partners, Healthy Eyes Advantage, Jobson, Marchon, National Vision, Inc., OWA, Tura, Vision Source, and WestGroupe.
For more information including sponsorship opportunities and Persons of Vision Award committee membership, please contact Sue Corbett at (312) 363-6014 or [email protected] or visit www.preventblindness.org/personofvision2020.
