PPG Industries Joins Transitions Optical and VSP Vision Care to Bring Healthy Sight to Pittsburgh Boys and Girls Clubs

PINELLAS PARK, Fla., Aug. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Pittsburgh-based PPG Industries partnered with Transitions Optical and VSP® Vision Care today to bring a state-of-the-art 45-foot mobile eye exam clinic, nicknamed "Eyenstein," to two Pittsburgh-area Boys and Girls Clubs to provide two full days of comprehensive eye exams and complimentary eyewear to children in need.  The mobile eyecare clinic will be at the Millvale location today, August 9th, and the Wilkinsburg location tomorrow, August 10th.

Children from the Millvale and Wilkinsburg Boys and Girls Clubs were pre-selected to benefit from the mobile eyecare clinic.  Those children who do not pass the eye exam and require prescription lenses will have the opportunity to select eyeglass frames of their choice fitted with customized Transitions® lenses to help them experience comfortable, quality vision in preparation for the start of a brand new school year.

"Since one in four children has an undetected vision problem that can interfere with the ability to read and learn, having proper eyecare and eyewear can contribute to a child's success and confidence both in the classroom and in everyday life," said Connie Falvo, director of external affairs, Transitions Optical.  "These events at the Boys and Girls Clubs reinforce the shared mission of both Transitions and VSP Vision Care to help raise awareness worldwide about the need for healthy, quality sight."

"As a parent company of Transitions Optical, a leader in PPG's optical business unit, we are committed to making healthy vision and proper eyecare and eyewear achievable and accessible for everyone," said Jeremy Neuhart, corporate communications manager, PPG Industries.  "With PPG's corporate headquarters right here in Pittsburgh, bringing the mobile clinic to Boys and Girls Clubs in our local community provides us with the opportunity to make a difference in our hometown and ensure that Pittsburgh youth and their families understand the value and proper steps to ensure healthy sight today and in the future."

In addition to complimentary eyecare services, all of the children at the Clubs will have the opportunity to climb aboard "Bess the Book Bus," a mobile literacy unit and outreach program run by Tampa, Florida native Jennifer Frances, that has traveled across the country and visited numerous communities in need to provide books and resources to help children become enthusiastic lifelong readers and educate families about the connection between healthy vision and reading.  The Book Bus will be on-site at both of the Boys and Girls Club locations for each child to choose a book to take home with them to share with their family and friends.

"Those of us at the Millvale Boys and Girls Club are thrilled that PPG has made it possible for the mobile clinic and Bess the Book Bus to visit both our Club and our Wilkinsburg location," said Sue Goetz, assistant executive director, Millvale Boys and Girls Club.  "This is a wonderful opportunity for our kids to get their eyes examined and experience what is in many cases the ability to see clearly for the first time.  With this generous gift of new eyeglasses and books, we feel that this will provide our children with a strong foundation to begin the school year."

The mobile clinic and Bess the Book Bus are headed  to Camden, New Jersey next to bring healthy sight to even more children in need.

To learn more about healthy sight and to find an eyecare professional near you, visit www.Transitions.com. For more information about the Transitions/VSP Mobile Eyes program, visit www.vsp.com/community.  

About PPG Industries, Inc.

PPG Industries' vision is to continue to be the world's leading coatings and specialty products company. Founded in 1883, the company serves customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and construction markets and aftermarkets. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, PPG operates in more than 60 countries around the globe. Sales in 2009 were $12.2 billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol: PPG). For more information, visit www.ppg.com.

About the Transitions/VSP Mobile Eyes Clinic

Since inception, the VSP Mobile Eyes® program has had over 500 VSP doctors volunteer their time participating in 234 events and helping more than 27,500 people see more clearly.  What started as an extension of relief efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the program features two mobile eyecare clinics, each with two comprehensive exam rooms and full eyeglass dispensaries, which respond to disasters and assist people in need in communities throughout the U.S.  In the first two quarters of 2010, the VSP Mobile Eyes program, in partnership with their network doctors, provided outreach to close to 7,000 low-income, uninsured and underinsured individuals and families from California to Florida.  In March 2010, Transitions Optical partnered with VSP Global to introduce the third clinic in the Mobile Eyes fleet, which has the unique feature of a finishing lab, featuring full-service lens finishing equipment, providing patients with eyeglasses on-site.

About Bess the Book Bus

Founded solely by Frances in 2004, Bess the Book Bus began visiting schools, shelters and after-school programs in the Tampa area to distribute children's books and host readings for underprivileged children.  Since then, Frances's efforts have expanded, servicing more than 200 children and adults in need each week to promote literacy.  Frances gives almost 40,000 new books each year to schools, community centers and shelters, and her program continues to grow as Frances prepares for the second half of her 2010 multi-city tour.  For more information about the program, visit www.bessthebookbus.org.

SOURCE Transitions Optical, Inc.