Luxottica and the 'Give the gift of sight' program

The entire Luxottica Group, from its base in Agordo (Belluno) to the American chains Lens Crafters, Sunglass Hut International, and also Watch Station, Watch Word and EyeMed Vision, is involved in the 'Give the gift of sight' project launched by the Luxottica Foundation based in Cincinnati (Usa).

It is a program that involves volunteers and consists of free eye tests and free prescription glasses. To date 3 million people throughout the world have benefited from them and the aim is to reach 7 million people with sight problems by 2008.

For the time being the program has covered North America and developing countries, but it will reach all corners of the world, including Europe, and involve thousands more employees, 'because we believe everyone has the right to see well' Roberto Chemello, Chief Executive of Luxottica srl and one of the mainstays of Leonardo Del Vecchio's company, explained to the Gazzettino. 'Anyone who cannot afford an eye test and a pair of glasses will be taken care of by Luxottica, obviously in agreement with local governments.'

'In 2003 we conducted eleven international missions to developing countries and distributed 220 thousand pairs of recycled, reconditioned and cataloged glasses, almost 100 thousand pairs of new glasses, and repaired 238 thousand pairs. Our efforts especially concerned Peru, Ecuador, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Costa Rica, Bolivia, North America, El Salvador and Panama' Chemello explained. 'We helped almost 9 thousand needy children who came to the clinic in S. Felipe, Mexico, and gave them glasses. 12 thousand pairs of new glasses went to needy children in 65 cities in the United States and in Canada, because even these big states have their poor people. In one day alone we helped 21 thousand people during Hometown Day. We sponsored a float at the Tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, California, to celebrate that 3 million people had been helped; the event was watched on TV by 50 million people.'

'Now the goal is to meet the needs of 7 million people by 2008 and we will try to grow bigger, we will all take part in increasing the number of people who have been helped' Chemello concluded.