On Saturday, June 9th, 2012, students and faculty from the Optical Dispensing program at American Career College’s Ontario campus joined California Lions Friends in Sight at a free community vision screening event in Murrieta, California. The California Lions Friends in Sight’s goal was to donate recycled glasses to those who needed them, and to provide further advice for community members who may need additional procedures. In total, 200 recycled glasses were distributed, and as a result, 200 people can now see better! The vision screening started at 8:00 a.m. and lasted until 2:30 p.m., when the last patient of the day left with their recycled eyeglasses. “It was a great day to help people and work together as a team,” said Patrisha Elbeck, Optical Dispensing Instructor at American Career College’s Ontario campus.
Two hundred and twenty four patients were seen that day. Of these patients, 200 received recycled glasses, 10 received prescriptions, and 10 did not require a prescription. It was a very successful day for relevant diagnoses and for supplementing the optical needs of the community.
California Lions Friends in Sight is an organization whose mission is to restore vision and prevent blindness. They hold events offering free vision screenings and free recycled glasses. Throughout the year, the American Career College community dedicates its time and commitment to work with California Lions Friends in Sight, giving the gift of sight in Southern California. We thank the students that attended the June 9th event: Rosalina Martinez, Edward Alaniz, and Denise Alejo. We also thank ACC – Ontario’s Optical Dispensing Program Director, Anthony Alaniz, and Optical Dispensing Instructor, Patrisha Elbeck.
Here at American Career College, we are strong believers of giving back to the community, and we encourage the ACC community to participate in future philanthropic efforts. If you are interested in volunteering with the Optical Dispensing program at the Ontario campus, please contact Patrisha Elbeck at pElbeck@americancareercollege.edu. Keep in mind that you don’t have to be a student at the Ontario campus to volunteer.
Please continue donating your used glasses to California Lions Friends in Sight – they really do help!
