Eyeglasses for Struggling Kentucky Families

Dear New Eyes Supporter,

Thank you for your generous and critical support of our "New Eyes for Kentucky" project. Since the pandemic began, many Kentuckians have been impacted by Covid-related joblessness and a loss of health benefits, coming to New Eyes for new eyeglasses and clear sight. 

Since October, New Eyes has provided 365 Kentuckians with new prescription eyeglasses and the clear vision necessary to build independent, successful lives. We assisted 65 children, 174 women and 126 men, ranging in ages from 6 to 87 years old.  GlobalGiving donors enabled 36 of these individuals to get the clear vision necessary to improve their lives. New Eyes is so very grateful for your generosity! Clear vision empowers children to do better in school, as well as older adults heading back to college; allow others to seek employment; and enable the elderly to live more safely and independently. 

With the advent of Covid, Kentucky has become the top state in the country that utilizes our program for its residents. Of Kentuckians enrolled in Medicare, 72% of them have traditional Medicare which does not cover eyeglasses. Kentucky's Medicaid program also does not cover the cost of eyeglasses, leaving many Kentuckians,  who are among the working poor, helpless in obtaining eyeglasses. And while eyeglass coverage for children is covered under Kentucky Medicaid, if they break or lose their glasses, it is difficult to obtain a replacement pair (which is why New Eyes provides 2 pairs of glasses to each child!).

New Eyes and YOU fill the gap for those Kentuckians in need so that they can have the clear vision necessary to improve their lives. A pair of eyeglasses in the U.S.averages $196, far above the means of the people we help - who struggle to pay housing costs, utilities, food, medical and childcare bills. Without New Eyes and YOUR support, these individuals would continue to struggle with poor, uncorrected vision.

New Eyes continues to be there for Kentuckians during these stressful times - because of  generosity like yours. YOU provided a hand-up, not a hand-out. YOU made deep and long-lasting impacts on the lives of families facing financial hardship when you donated to New Eyes. THANK YOU!

Warmest regards,

Jean Gajano

Links:

• New Eyes website

Dear New Eyes Supporter,

It has been a very busy period since I last wrote a report in June. The coronavirus pandemic has thrown many families into unexpected fnancial need, losing jobs and health insurance. Our demand from Kentucky has been quite strong because of those very reasons.

Since June, New Eyes has provided 866 Kentucky residents with clear vision through new prescription eyeglasses. This represents the highest number of Kentucky residents we have helped in a four month period, ever, Thanks to your support, these individuals can see clearly to obtain a better education (either remotely or in school), seek employment and to live safely and independently. We assisted 200 children, 412 women and 254 men, ranging in ages from 2 to 91 years old. GlobalGiving donors enabled 20 of these individuals to get the clear vision necessary to improve their lives. Thank you. We are so very grateful for your generosity.

New Eyes stands firm providing new eyeglasses to children and adults in need. While other organizations have had to suspend their vision clinics, mobile eye vans and other operations, New Eyes has remained open to assist those under financial stress who are now finding themselves unexpectedly in need due to the effects of the pandeic. Since 1932, New Eyes has continuously served the neediest and most vulnerable among us. And we will always be there for them. 

Never forget that you make this kind of difference in needy Kentucky lives:

Links:

• https://new-eyes.org/