Blue Cross Foundation and Give the Gift of Sight Foundation Partner to Offer Free Eye Care and Glasses to Children in Need Throughout California

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., Aug. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross of California Foundation, the charitable giving arm of WellPoint, Inc. in California has recently partnered with Give the Gift of Sight Foundation (GTGOSF), in an effort to bring mobile optical missions (via "vision vans") to California. Give the Gift of Sight Foundation is a charitable vision care program that offers free eye care and glasses to people in need in local communities and around the world.

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Optical missions are currently being made in Northern and Southern California by way of "vision vans" providing approximately 1,800 children with vision exams and new glasses. "Vision is an important aspect of overall health and wellbeing of individuals," said Louise McCrary president of Specialty Products, WellPoint. "An organization like Give the Gift of Sight Foundation is a truly valuable conduit to providing those in need with improved vision."

Blue Cross of California employees donated more than 550 pairs of glasses for the cause. "When we were offered the chance to recycle our glasses for individuals who need them, I didn't think twice about it," said Blue Cross employee Lisa Westlund. Give the Gift of Sight Foundation cleans, repairs and classifies the glasses by prescription, then delivers them on Give the Gift of Sight international optical missions.

"We are pleased to partner with Give the Gift of Sight Foundation in providing a contribution that can increase access to quality vision care and prescription glasses," said David Helwig, president and CEO, Blue Cross of California. "This activity further solidifies our commitment to reach underserved communities and make an impact on those who may otherwise go without the care they need."

The WellPoint Foundation has also sponsored vision vans in Ohio, Wisconsin, Georgia and Virginia. "This is the first time we have partnered with a health plan to launch this type of outreach," said David Berumen, mission manager, Give the Gift of Sight Foundation. "We are excited to receive this kind of support for our missions." For more information about Give the Gift of Sight Foundation, please visit http://www.givethegiftofsight.org/ .

Blue Cross of California and its Foundation are independent licensees of the Blue Cross Association. Blue Cross of California Foundation focuses on initiatives that make health care more accessible and affordable, improve quality of care, shape the development of health-related public policy and help identify best practices in medicine. The Foundation invests in social programs and partners with non-profit public charities whose objectives closely align with Blue Cross of California's health care priorities. Blue Cross of California Foundation was formed by Blue Cross of California, a health benefits company that has been serving the health care needs of Californians since 1937.

Give the Gift of Sight is sponsored by Give the Gift of Sight Foundation and by Luxottica Retail, home of LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sears Optical, Target Optical, BJ's Optical, EyeMed Vision Care, Sunglass Hut, Watch Station, Watch World and Things Remembered. For more information, please visit http://www.givethegiftofsight.com/ .