Needy Children Can Receive Free Eye Tests and Glasses

sailing4sightThe Franciscan Physician Network Optical Department-Dunes Optical will host the Sailing4Sight organization Aug. 8, as it offers free eye examinations and glasses for local school-aged children of disadvantaged families.

The program will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the department, 1225 E. Coolspring Ave.

Sailing4Sight is a nonprofit group consisting of local volunteer recreational boaters that provides eye doctors who perform exams and opticians who help children and their parents choose glasses, if needed. Glasses will be manufactured and shipped to Dunes Optical after Aug. 18.

Referrals for children may be made through school nurses, local civic organizations, or religious affiliations. Parents who do not have such referral opportunities are asked to contact either Linda Bechinski, Sailing4Sight nursing director, at (219) 210-9542; Bill Wittlief, event coordinator, at (317) 626-2246; or Shelia Burkhart, community volunteer, at (219) 210-3062, for more information and to make appointments, which are done on a first-come, first-served basis.

Parents and children are asked to arrive five to 10 minutes prior to the appointment time.

For more information on Sailing4Sight, visit: sailors4sight.com.

Photo courtesy Michigan City News-Dispatch