2 million strong in reader and sunglass donations for RestoringVision!

In partnership with over 750 humanitarian groups in over 75 countries, RestoringVision changes lives!

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Oct. 22, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This month, RestoringVision.org, a small nonprofit based in San Rafael, CA. will celebrate their 10 year anniversary and the charitable distribution of 2 million pairs of reading glasses and sunglasses in developing countries around the globe. RestoringVision works to change the lives of those unable to read, maintain a job, or remain a productive member of their community because they can't focus close up and lack access to a simple tool; reading glasses.

"It is estimated that about 800M people in the developing world are unable to see clearly simply because they do not have access to glasses.  About half of these people only need a simple pair of reading glasses to read or see up close.  RestoringVision is solving that problem." says Mark Sachs, CEO and Founder of RestoringVision.

Generous donations of excess inventory of new readers and sunglasses from eyewear companies make this effort possible, as well as a network of humanitarian groups who distribute readers and sunglasses on their mission trips. Reading glasses enable individuals to improve productivity and generate income for their families and sunglasses are an important preventive tool in fighting corneal and cataract damage from excessive exposure to UV light.

"The reading glasses and sunglasses were a big hit. We were on the southern island of Kadavu in the small village of Drue. Of the 300 pair of glasses & sunglasses that we took, we gave away about 225 or so. The balance were taken to the hospital's vision doctor for distribution. Everyone was so thankful for the glasses so they could read their bibles. A BIG thank you to RestoringVision. God Bless you! We hope to return next year to a different village." ~ Pastor Dan

"Without the ability to focus close up and see clearly, an individual loses their livelihood and self esteem, a family loses much-needed income and a community loses a productive member of their society." says David Chute, Board member and CEO of i2C Ventures in Atherton, California.

"2 million is a fantastic number; we are very happy to have made such an impact in our first ten years, but there is much more work to be done and we need to spread the word to mission and humanitarian aid groups who work internationally to help us in this effort," says Sachs.  "Right now, we have thousands of pairs of new readers and sunglasses from leading eyewear companies in warehouses ready for good Samaritans to distribute in developing countries.  Adding the distribution of readers to their mission is an easy, inexpensive and rewarding way to dramatically change lives."

"It was so gratifying to watch as many saw clearly for the first time in years. Many shouted "normal" and "clear" in Creole at the top of their voice!" ~ Dr. Kastner

Sachs continues: "We want more groups to be aware of how simple it is to get the glasses, learn how and then set up a simple dispensary. We provide everything they need."

Sight can make the difference between a life of poverty and a life of opportunity. For more information on RestoringVision, please contact Mark Sachs @ [email protected]  and visit http://www.restoringvision.org/   RestoringVision video http://www.restoringvision.org/mission-videos/ and images http://www.restoringvision.org/mission-images/.  

Media Contact:
Mark Sachs, CEO/Founder of RestoringVision.org
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 415-453-9123 (Pacific Time)
Website: RestoringVision.org
Facebook: Facebook.com/RestoringVision
Video: http://www.restoringvision.org/mission-videos/

SOURCE RestoringVision.org