United States
SightBuddies collaborates with school districts and local optometrists to provide accessible eye care for children in need. Together, we restore lives through sight!
USA Vision Report 2024
16,738
147
Children Helped
Outreaches
Glasses Donated
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….
2,515
16
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Nebo
Wasatch
South Sanpete
North Sanpete
Provo
Alpine
6
Why we do it?
It’s estimated that 15-25% of children in the United States can’t see the board or read without glasses. Additionally, 40% of all US children depend on free or reduced lunch at school. This same population of children struggles to get visual health services. Anywhere from 50-60% of children come back year after year with the same vision diagnosis and no glasses.
Our Solutions
Our SightBuddies program partners with local schools and eye centers to provide glasses to students K-12 who cannot afford them. Our dedicated partners allow us to provide vision and education to over 3,000 kids each year.
In partnership with
Stories from the field
Mason saw the Utah mountains clearly for the first time! During our SightBuddies event, Mason arrived with a blurry vision at the Utah Valley Eye Center in Provo. He received an eye exam, chose his frames, and walked out seeing clearly!
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It’s been an honor to participate in the SightBuddies program. Thanks to all those involved, thousands of children have been screened, and countless have received free glasses. I’m always amazed at the number of students we see that have never had their eyes examined, but need glasses terribly. It’s very rewarding to see the smile on their faces as they put on their new glasses for the first time. SIGHTBUDDIES ROCK!!
John Larcabal, OD
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“I am self-conscious because I can’t see myself in the mirror. It’s blurry and I don’t know how I look. I don’t want anyone else to see me.”
Amelia, Fourth Grader, Provo
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“The kids walk out with their glasses and they can see the leaves and the details they haven’t been able to see. It almost makes you cry every time you see them coming out. It is so rewarding to be a part of it.”
Heather Chadwick, Provo School Nurse
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“We all know that vision can very much effect how well a student can succeed. If they can't see, how are they going to learn what is being taught?”
Carissa Jensen, Alpine School Nurse
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"Everyone is important: the schools, nurses, parents, students, and organizations like CharityVision. We really need everyone to work together to help our children succeed."
Emily Finch, Provo School Nurse
Contact us
Would you like to learn more about SightBuddies?
FAQ
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If you're located in the United States, you will find SightBuddies in both Utah and California.
Our program is expanding, and we aspire to collaborate with local doctors across the country. Internationally, SightBuddies operates in Indonesia, Pakistan, Peru, Colombia, El Salvador, and Haiti. -
We're eager to engage with local optometrists and ophthalmologists who have a passion for serving. Feel free to reach out to us directly at chelsea@charityvision.org or give us a call at (435) 200-4970.Your help ensures kids in the community get the eye care they deserve.
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We are currently partnered with Nebo, Wasatch, North and South Sanpete, Provo, and Alpine school districts in Utah.