DETROIT, Aug. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Next Monday, August 25, Davis Vision, Inc., the United Way 2-1-1 and the United Auto Workers (UAW) will team up to sponsor free vision screenings for uninsured and underinsured Detroit children. Services will be provided at the Samaritan Center, 5555 Conner Street, Detroit from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Walk-ups will be welcomed on Monday. Parents interested in securing a free vision screening for their children are encouraged to dial 211 to register in advance.
Since many families do not have insurance or have limited funding for vision care, professionals will be onsite volunteering their time to bring this important service to the community to ensure those children who participate receive the vision care they need.
Children in need of follow-up services after the initial screening will receive a voucher for a complimentary eye examination and a free pair of eyeglasses from their closest SVS Vision, a Davis Vision local provider.
As part of this community outreach initiative, the United Auto Workers will provide free school supplies to all children who participate in the screening. A visit by Tiger's mascot Paws also is anticipated. In addition, Davis Vision will provide free lunch, beverages and games for all children.
Monday's vision screenings will help to identify those children in need of examination by professionals who can diagnose potential problems and prescribe appropriate treatment. The earlier vision problems are detected, the more successful the treatment will be.
"Vision care professionals agree that fewer than 20 percent of children in our country are adequately screened for vision problems which affect one in 20 preschoolers and one in four school-age children," said Laura Dyer, Davis Vision's assistant vice president, Strategic Events and Community Relations.
Good vision health is important to a child's development, and the community-based screening offered by Davis Vision through the local community partners will provide Detroit children and their parents with a better understanding about the importance of good vision health.
About Davis Vision
Davis Vision, Inc., based in Plainview, NY, administers vision services to over 55 million members nationally through an extensive network of nearly 45,000 participating providers, including ophthalmologists, optometrists, opticians and many of the nation's premier retail centers. Davis Vision's provider network-credentialing program has been certified by the NCQA.
Among Michigan-based organizations, Davis Vision covers the UAW, General Motors, Delphi-IUE, Chrysler, the University of Michigan, United State federal employees and many others. For more information about Davis Vision, visit www.davisvision.com.
About the United Auto Workers
One of the nation's largest and most diverse unions, the UAW has more than 1 million active and retired members, with active members working in manufacturing as well as public service, higher education health care, gaming and other industries. UAW members are active supporters of the United Way, the March of Dimes, Habitat for Humanity, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and many other charitable and community activities.
About United Way 2-1-1
United Way 2-1-1 is a multi-lingual, comprehensive information and referral service available 24 hours per day, year round. Its database contains more than 20,000 programs and services, such as after school programs, senior care services, medical and prescription assistance, credit counseling and mortgage foreclosure assistance, and housing and utility resources. Individuals can also call 2-1-1 to be connected to volunteer opportunities in their area.
2-1-1 partners include: The Detroit Public Library, Common Ground Sanctuary, Macomb County Crisis Center, Neighborhood Service Organization, and United Way 2-1-1 Monroe and Washtenaw counties.