(PRESS RELEASE) PADUA — Safilo Group, a worldwide leader in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of optical frames and sunglasses, sports eyewear, goggles and helmets, and Special Olympics, the international non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, renew their partnership, which will see them united again for the next three years.
Thanks to this renewal Safilo and Special Olympics have further strengthened their relationship, which began in 2003 and is now celebrating its 18th anniversary. It is an important milestone especially considering that over the years more than 1.3 million frames and sunglasses have been donated to Special Olympics athletes all over the world, as part of the Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Foundation Opening Eyes program.
Safilo’s commitment, however, is not only represented by the donation of optical frames, but also by the personal involvement of the Group’s employees who, in recent years, have participated, as volunteers, in concrete initiatives linked to the organization of Opening Eyes events for the benefit of athletes with intellectual disabilities.
“We are very proud to announce the renewal for the next three years of our partnership with Special Olympics, as we are continuing to strengthen the journey we began 18 years ago,” said Angelo Trocchia, CEO of Safilo Group. “Our goal from the very first day has been to create a lasting relationship and commit ourselves daily to supporting specific programmes aimed at correcting sight defects with the awareness of having a decisive and positive impact on the lives of millions of people around the world through the donation of our frames and sunglasses. This commitment is also part of our sustainability strategies, an ongoing engagement based on three main pillars: people, products and planet.”
“Special Olympics is honored to gain the continued support of Safilo Group as part of a shared commitment to providing inclusive health for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Together with the eye health, vision care and global health community, Special Olympics is excited to enter into this renewed partnership with Safilo to drive needed support to Special Olympics athletes around the world,” according to David Evangelista, president and managing director, Special Olympics Europe Eurasia.
In addition to donations of frames and sunglasses, the partnership also provides Special Olympics athletes with the opportunity to benefit from eye examinations and referrals for follow-up checks through Opening Eyes services supported by Safilo and other cooperate sponsors in the eye care community.