The effects of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine have been felt worldwide.
Energy costs have increased. Supply chains have been disrupted. Food shortages have gotten worse.
And that’s not to mention the brutality of the war itself.
The United Nations has verified nearly 6,000 civilian deaths since the war began in February. Millions more have been forced to flee their homes. Many won’t have homes to return to as large swaths of eastern Ukraine have been laid waste by Russian artillery.
Of course, the children of Ukraine are at particular risk.
Humanitarian agencies report nearly a third of all Ukrainian children have been displaced by the war, and nearly half are at risk of not having a school to attend this fall.
Andy Wolf Eyewear headquarters in Hartberg, Austria.
However, thanks in part to a donation from Andy Wolf Eyewear, a group of 62 Ukrainian children were able to experience a brief reprieve from the conflict this summer.
Caritas Styria, the social aid organization of the Catholic Church in the Styria region of Austria, has operated a summer camp for underprivileged children since 2008. Andy Wolf Eyewear’s donation of $30,000 helped create a dedicated summer school for displaced Ukrainian children. The summer program included a mix of sports and school activities. And, this year, it doubled as an integration program for refugees of war living in their temporary country.
To learn more about what you can do for Ukrainian children and their families, you can go to the UNICEF website.
Blenders Eyewear Teams Up with Conference USA
Blenders Eyewear continues to add to its athletic sponsorship portfolio.
The San Diego company, which is part of Safilo, Inc., recently announced a partnership with Conference USA as the collegiate organization’s official sunglasses sponsor. Blenders Eyewear will provide sunglasses to C-USA athletes throughout the 2022-23 school year. The company also will be the presenting sponsor for C-USA Athlete of the Week awards as well as postseason tournaments and events in each sport.
C-USA is an intercollegiate athletic conference, currently comprised of 11 universities in the southeast and Texas.
You can read the full press release here.
Diversity and Equity Programs in Optometry
The American Optometric Association (AOA) and The Vision Council both launched programs in 2021 to help promote diversity and equity efforts within the optometric industry.
The AOA, in partnership with the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) and with financial support from Essilor Luxottica, started a grant program entitled Opportunities in Optometry. Already 40 $1,500 grants have been awarded to students entering optometry school.
The Vision Council started a scholarship fund called Opening Your Eyes in July of last year. Nearly $340,00 has been pledged to support minority high school students interested in an optical career. The Vision Council awarded scholarships to seven students last year. It plans to award 12 this year.
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Good Views is where we catch up on positive news, updates, and tidbits from the world of eyewear and eyecare. Have something you’d like to share for a future digest post? Send it my way! jens.carlson@smartworkmedia.com.