The awards recognize outstanding programming and community impact.
(Press Release) ABB Optical Group has announced that seven nonprofit organizations, nominated by eyecare professionals nationwide, will receive grants ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 in recognition of their outstanding programming and community impact.
The grants are presented through the company’s third annual ABB Cares program.
“ABB Cares has a positive impact in local communities throughout the U.S.,” said Angel Alvarez, founder and CEO of ABB Optical. “The grants support the causes that eye care professionals are passionate about. Each year we are touched by the outstanding nominations we receive. There are so many fantastic organizations that do great work and we thank all of those in the optometric community who bring them to our attention.”
The 2016 ABB Cares grant recipients are: Addi’s Faith Foundation in Kingwood, TX; Project Wee Care in Omaha, NE.; Bobcat Backpacks Program in Radford, VA; All God’s People in Orland Park, IL.; Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque in Dubuque, IA; Lighthouse of Broward in Fort Lauderdale, FL.; and Los Alamitos Youth Center in Los Alamitos, CA.
PLATINUM ABB CARES GRANT OF $5,000
Addi’s Faith Foundation
Nominated by Family Vision Center of Porter & Crosby, Addi’s Faith Foundation is dedicated to ending childhood cancer and providing financial and emotional support to families struggling to care for a child with cancer. The organization will receive a $5,000 ABB Cares grant to help fund childhood cancer research and offer support to families.
GOLD ABB CARES GRANTS OF $2,500
Project Wee Care Project
Wee Care, nominated by Millard Vision Center, is dedicated to bringing the Omaha community together to aid families in need during the holiday season. The organization, which has impacted the lives of more than 5,400 community members, will receive a $2,500 ABB Cares grant to help provide supplies such as food, clothing and other necessities for families who are struggling.
Bobcat Backpack Program
Also receiving a $2,500 ABB Cares grant is the Bobcat Backpack Program, nominated by Invision. Through local food drives and donations, Bobcat Backpack Program is a community-led weekend food program that provides healthy food for qualifying students during the school year. The grant will help fund food sent home with students on the weekends as well fund food pantries at the schools.
SILVER ABB CARES GRANTS OF $1,000
All God’s People
The mission of All God’s People, nominated by Primary Eyecare Professionals, is to minister to the needs of homeless people in the Chicago Loop area. All God’s People will receive a $1,000 ABB Cares grant to help supply hundreds of people with clothing, blankets, toiletries and food through a distribution center the charity sets up once a month.
Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque
Nominated by Klauer Optical Co, the Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque is on a mission to improve children’s vision to help them succeed in school, in partnership with Vision To Learn, a nonprofit mobile vision clinic. The program will receive a $1,000 ABB Cares grant to help provide eye exams and eyeglasses directly to students in at-risk schools.
Lighthouse of Broward
Lighthouse of Broward, nominated by East Side Vision Center, strives to provide specialized rehabilitation and healthcare solutions that enhance independence and productivity of children and adults who are blind or visually impaired. The $1,000 ABB Cares grant will help Lighthouse of Broward fund professional staff who offer direct services to clients that enable them to enjoy safe, happy lives.
Los Alamitos Youth Center
Nominated by Alamitos Eyecare, the Los Alamitos Youth Center is devoted to transforming children’s lives, one family at a time. The Youth Center will receive a $1,000 ABB Cares grant to help fund the various social, educational and recreational programs that help enhance the lives of children in the Los Alamitos community. For more information about the ABB Cares program and to sign up for notifications about next year’s grant application process, visit ABBOptical.com.