Camp Fire Survivors Treated to an Unforgettable Experience by VSP Eyes of Hope and GLAM4GOOD

PARADISE, CALIF., –  As schools reopened in Paradise for the first time since the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history, VSP Eyes of Hope and GLAM4GOOD hosted an unforgettable back-to-school experience for 300 students and teachers, many of whom lost everything in the Camp Fire. 

Many residents have been so focused on rebuilding their lives that they have had to deprioritize items like new clothing and eye care, including relying on out-of-date prescriptions or just doing without glasses at all. On Saturday, August 17, VSP Eyes of Hope and GLAM4GOOD, together with local volunteer VSP network doctors and GLAM4GOOD community volunteers who were also affected by the Camp Fire, provided hundreds of Paradise Unified School District students and teachers with free eye exams, glasses, new wardrobes, accessories and personal care essentials. In total, more than $1 million worth of goods and services were gifted by the two organizations. 

“The start of a new school year is a hopeful milestone in the recovery process for this community, but it can also be a time filled with long to-do lists and expenses for parents and teachers,” said Michael Guyette, President and CEO of VSP Global. “It’s important to us to bring some relief to these families by providing access to eye care and eyewear and help ensure these teachers and students are set up with great vision as they head back into the classroom.” 

The full-day event started with heartfelt words from Paradise Unified School District Superintendent Michelle John, GLAM4GOOD CEO Mary Alice Stephenson and Guyette, who revealed that, in addition to the care offered that day, VSP is providing 2,000 VSP Eyes of Hope gift certificates to cover eye exams and glasses at a local VSP doctor’s office for Paradise students and their families who couldn’t attend. 

Stephenson then kicked off the recovery initiative inviting families to take part in a “shopping spree for free” inside the school gymnasium, which was transformed into a boutique filled with new clothing, stylish accessories, beauty products and personal care essentials for the teachers and their entire families. 

“While the initiative aimed to restore and brighten wardrobes of those affected, the impact goes beyond the apparel,” said Stephenson. “This is a day for kids to not think about their hardships and just have fun being kids and for teachers who have put their students and community first—the opportunity to treat themselves.”  

The city of Paradise lost over 90% of its population and, as a result, the Paradise Unified School District is now half the size it once was. Even so, 600 more students showed up to school this first week than expected, sending a hopeful message to educators. The back-to-school initiative reunited hundreds of teachers and students. A lot of laughs and some tears were shared throughout the day, as community members reconnected. 

“I am not even sure everyone realizes how far this gift will go because it will change the lives of kids and their entire schooling,” said John. “There are so many parents that are just thinking about putting food on the table and aren’t thinking about eye care, and yet their kids might be struggling in school and they don’t know why. This is probably one piece of the pie as to why they’re struggling.” 

Of those that received an eye exam by local VSP network doctors on Saturday, 94% were prescribed glasses, many of which were made onsite. 

Following the Camp Fire last year, a VSP Eyes of Hope mobile clinic was stationed in Chico for two weeks to care for those who were affected by the wildfire and support local VSP network doctors whose practices were damaged. In total, last year, nearly 900 people received access to eye exams and replacement glasses.   

To date, VSP Eyes of Hope has provided access to free eye care and eyewear for more than 2.5 million people in need, including more than 119,000 people affected by disasters in the U.S. 

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About VSP Global
At VSP Global^®, our purpose is to empower human potential through sight. As the first and only national not-for-profit vision benefits company, this is what drives everything we do. For more than 65 years, VSP has been the leader in health-focused vision care. Every day, the people that power our complementary businesses (VSP^® Vision Care, Marchon Eyewear, Inc., Visionworks^®, Eyefinity^®, Eyeconic^®, VSP Optics, and VSP Ventures) work together to create a world where everyone can bring their best vision to life. That means providing affordable access to eye care and eyewear for more than 80 million members through a network of more than 39,000 doctors. And it means expanding access to vision care to those disadvantaged by income, distance, or disaster. Through VSP Eyes of Hope^®, more than 3.3 million people in need have received no-cost eye care and eyewear. Learn more about how we’re reinvesting in greater vision, health, and opportunities for all at vspglobal.com.