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A Chat with Joan Kelley Walker and CNIB’s Angela Bonfanti

Award-winning philanthropist and humanitarian, Joan Kelley Walker, sits down with Angela Bonfanti, Senior Vice President, CNIB Foundation Programs for an intimate chat about COVID-19 and how it has impacted the sight loss community.

Joan has had a lifelong awareness of the challenges that people with sight loss experience as she has watched her mother, Rosaline, navigate a sighted world while being legally blind. Joan initially volunteered with the CNIB Foundation as an emcee for the CNIB Muskoka event in support of CNIB Lake Joe. Since then, she has become much more involved in supporting CNIB’s programs.

Watch the video:

Source: CNIB

Luxottica and Versace Renew License Agreement

Luxottica Group and Versace announced the early renewal of an exclusive license agreement for the development, production and worldwide distribution of sunglasses and prescription frames under the Versace brand. The ten-year renewal is effective starting April 1, 2020 and is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2029.

“We are pleased to renew our partnership with Versace, which marks the further extension of a long-standing relationship between our two Companies dating back to 2003. Together we continue to create unique collections that express the wonder of Versace’s style through eyewear around the world”, commented Francesco Milleri, CEO of Luxottica.

“Versace is delighted to renew and further develop its strong and successful partnership with Luxottica. We look forward to the next chapter of our relationship where we will continue to innovate in the eyewear category” added Jonathan Akeroyd, CEO of Versace.

Source: Luxottica

Dragon Eyewear Launches an Eco-friendly Collection

Since Fall of 2019, Dragon has been producing eyewear using plant-based plastic, further asserting the brand’s commitment to social responsibility. The resin is made from castor bean oil, a highly sustainable alternative to petroleum.

Dragon is sourcing castor beans from farmers participating in the Pragati Project, a sustainability and educational program aimed at improving standard of living for
farmers. Featured model: DR5001

Distributed by Marchon: www.marchon.com

ZEISS and WestGroupe’s ValuePak Support to Optometry Giving Sight Exceeds $77,000

Beginning in 2016, WestGroupe and Carl Zeiss Vision Canada pledged to make a donation to Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) for each of their new ValuePak Frame and Lens packages sold. ValuePak packages include Superflex® Frames with synchrony® Lenses from Carl Zeiss Vision which are manufactured in Canada.

Their generous promotion continues and over $77,000 has been donated through the initiative since its inception. Both companies are now recognized as OGS Canadian Platinum Partners.

WestGroupe and Carl Zeiss Vision’s commitment to help people in need through the sale of each ValuePak pair has made a significant impact on vision in areas of need around the world. Their support has helped fund vital projects such as the establishment of a school of optometry in Vietnam, and equipment for the growing optometry program in Malawi. Both countries are benefiting through newly graduated optometrists who are now providing comprehensive eye exams where there was previously very little or no eye care available.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Yeti Cycles, Smith and Black Diamond Team Up to Produce PPE Face Shields

Joining forces to support continued shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) in Colorado, Smith and Black Diamond support Colorado mountain bike manufacturer Yeti Cycles as they shift focus to produce face shields for health care professionals fighting COVID-19 from the front lines.

Smith’s donation of 4,000 yards of goggle strap material, along with Black Diamond’s donation of 5,000 headlamp straps, will help Yeti Cycles complete 10,000 face shields being manufactured at its headquarters in Golden, Colorado. Calling on the Yeti Tribe to connect with those in need through social media efforts, the initial run of face shields had been claimed by healthcare workers and first responders across Colorado within the first 24 hours. The group is looking to source additional materials to increase shield production quantities in order to meet urgent demand.

“Yeti typically designs products from the ground up, but in this case, we wanted an efficient way to make the most effective thing. Time is critical, so we’re doing it with materials we’ve pulled together from industry friends and available through our supply chain. It’s not surprising, but everyone we contacted wanted to help and their help was critical in this coming together so quickly,” said Steve Hoogendoorn, co-owner of Yeti.

Click HERE for the full press release.

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