 Fy-Eye: July 2019 |
Upcoming Events Wednesday, July 31 Trestle Park – Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward Registration is now open. Invite your family and friends on Facebook! *Sponsorship opportunities are available. Visit our Lizzy’s Walk website or contact Bridget at [email protected] of 414-765-0505 for more information. Upcoming Trainings View the Children’s Vision Screener Training Schedule July Newsletter Articles Spanish Speaking Volunteers Needed Diabetes: What’s your vision of it? Thank you, Dane County Screeners Students Can Support Screening Services Healthy Vision All Summer Long Wisconsin Lions Gear Up to Save Sight July is Fireworks Safety Month About Us Founded in 1958, Prevent Blindness Wisconsin improves the lives of children, adults, and families through early detection of eye conditions to prevent blindness and preserve sight. On-going vision screening activities and state-wide public health education lead to a lifetime of healthy vision. wisconsin.preventblindness.org
Support Prevent Blindness Wisconsin Support Prevent Blindness Wisconsin throughout the year by holding an event in our honor at your work, school or church. Some ideas include: – Jeans Day – Dedicate your birthday – Bake sale Please contact Bridget at [email protected] for PBW marketing materials. |
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Register Today For Lizzy’s Walk! Join Prevent Blindness Wisconsin at Lizzy’s Walk, a family-friendly walk and fundraiser scheduled on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, to benefit children’s healthy vision. Located at Trestle Park in Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, walkers will enjoy a pizza dinner compliments of Riverfront Pizzeria Bar & Grill, kids’ entertainment, a 2.3-mile walk on the Hank Aaron Trail, raffle and more! Please visit the Lizzy’s Walk website for more information, to register a walker, start a team and donate! Register by Friday, July 12 to guarantee a t-shirt! Sponsorship opportunities are available. Please contact Bridget at [email protected] or (414) 765-0505 ext. 107 to confirm your sponsorship or for more information. Confirm your sponsorship by Friday, July 12 to guarantee name or logo placement on the event t-shirt!
Julio is a student at St. Lucy’s Catholic School in Racine. After failing his certified vision screening, Julio was referred to the eye doctor. Julio’s mom never knew he needed glasses and says he now “seems more confident.” Julio is happy with his glasses and we are happy he can see his best to play and learn! Upcoming Certified Children’s Vision Screener Trainings Sign up for one of our upcoming Children’s Vision Screener Trainings. If you have questions or if you would like to schedule a training, please contact Shelby at [email protected].
Spanish Speaking Volunteers Needed Prevent Blindness Wisconsin is currently looking for volunteers fluent in Spanish to help assist with follow-up phone calls for adults referred after their vision screening. Volunteers are needed 1-2 days a week and will be asked to translate over the phone for clients to understand their next steps to vision care. Volunteers will be needed for 2-4 hours in the office at a time to conduct calls. If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, please contact Courtney at [email protected] or call 414-765-0505 Ext. 109.
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Diabetes: What’s your vision of it? In June, we had great success kick starting our Diabetes + the Eyes Program at the New Testament Church of Milwaukee. 75 people attended the public education presentation and learned about maintaining healthy vision with diabetes. With the church’s active and dedicated health and wellness council and their free clinic on site, this presentation served as a great outlet to not only educate the general public, but also to start the formation of adult vision health advocates among healthcare professionals active in this church community. One health and wellness council member said, “I never knew the importance of getting your eyes dilated when you get an eye exam. I am going to ensure I tell them the next time I go in, ‘I want my eyes dilated’.” We are excited to see where this new program takes us in the adult vision health world. We would like to thank Allergan for funding this pilot program and are very grateful for the opportunity and support to expand our adult programming statewide.
Thank you, Dane County Screeners! Prevent Blindness Wisconsin held a Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon for the Dane County Volunteer Vision Screening Group at The Great Dane in Fitchburg. This luncheon was a great occasion to meet with volunteers who continue to support our mission throughout Dane County each year. During the 2018-2019 school year, the Dane County Volunteer Vision Screening Group provided free certified vision screenings to more than 600 children and referred 40 of those children on to further vision care. Thank you, Dane County Screeners!
Students Can Support Screening Services It’s never too early to start thinking about planning your school district’s vision screenings! We know it can be challenging to reach all of your students with vision screenings and we want to help. Prevent Blindness Wisconsin can provide a free certified children’s vision screener training to high school students in your district so they can offer screening assistance and have a great opportunity to give back to their own school community. We currently partner with many districts throughout the state, including the Racine Unified School District, Germantown School District, Wauwatosa School District, Kettle Moraine School District, Marshall School District, and Mishicot School District, and have seen great success with this program. For more information, contact Shelby at [email protected].
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Healthy Vision All Summer Long With many Head Start programs offering year-round services, it’s important to remember that healthy vision does not take a summer vacation. As children enjoy the warm weather, ensure that their eyes are protected from UV rays. Children should wear UVA/UVB-blocking sunglasses and brimmed hats. For more information about protecting children’s eyes from the sun, click here. If you have questions about Prevent Blindness Wisconsin’s Head Start program, please contact Shelby at [email protected]. |
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Wisconsin Lions Clubs Gear Up to Save Sight
Prevent Blindness Wisconsin provided a certified vision screener training for members of the Beloit Noon, Beloit Evening, Janesville, and Paddock Lake Lions Clubs. Twenty-six members attended, learning the evidence-based methods for children’s vision screening in preparation for back-to-school time. If your club needs certification, please register for one of our upcoming Certified Children’s Vision Screener trainings or contact Shelby at [email protected] to schedule a training. |
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Prevent Blindness Wisconsin is proud and honored to announce it has been awarded grants from the Eau Claire Community Foundation and the Evjue Foundation, Inc., the charitable arm of The Capital Times to support our sight-saving services. Thank you Eau Claire Community Foundation for supporting the Children’s Vision Screening Program which brings the future into focus for more than 4,000 children in Eau Claire County. Thank you Evjue Foundation, Inc., the charitable arm of The Capital Times, for supporting the Children’s Vision Screening Program for three to five-year-old children in Dane County. These programs ensure children begin their educational careers with the healthy vision they need for long-term success and would not be possible without the generous support of local funders. Thank you again for helping make healthy vision possible for children across Wisconsin.
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July is Fireworks Safety Month Start the month of July off with a BANG by observing proper firework safety! While the sights of summer holidays are inviting, we want to make sure you are seeing and enjoying them safely. Half of those injured by fireworks are bystanders aged 14 and younger. Common injuries include burns to the hands, fingers, head, ears, legs, and arms. Most alarming is that, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, one third of firework injuries result in permanent blindness. While we hear stories in the news, many don’t think firework injuries will happen to them. Protect your vision this summer by knowing the risks and staying aware of the dangers fireworks pose to your sight.
Sparklers Sparklers are responsible for most firework-related injuries suffered by people of all ages. Sparklers burn at 1800 degrees Fahrenheit, hot enough to melt silver, brass and bronze. While sparklers may be small in size, they can cause severe damage to the eyes, including burns and cuts. Sparklers, snappers, firecrackers, and poppers should be avoided.
How do you protect and prevent eye injuries from fireworks? -Never let children handle any type of firework -Professionals working with fireworks should wear protective eyewear that coincides with the American National Standards Institute -When viewing professional firework shows, bystanders should take precautions and wear protective eyewear that covers the entire eye. If you experience an injury to your eye DO NOT: -Rub the eye -Rinse the eye out -Put ointment in or around the eye -Try to remove an object or any debris Seek immediate medical attention if you suffer from a firework-related eye injury. Touching your eye could aggravate the injury and worsen the condition.
With these tips and tricks, Prevent Blindness Wisconsin would like to wish you and your family a safe and healthy 4th of July.
Purchase Your Prevent Blindness Wisconsin Apparel Support Prevent BLindness Wisconsin and our sight-saving services when you purchase our apparel. Run a campaign at your school, church, or volunteer group. Perfect to wear when you vision screen!
Join us in the 20/20 Challenge! Prevent Blindness Wisconsin makes the world a brighter place for children and adults across Wisconsin through our sight-saving vision health services. You can give the gift of healthy vision by joining the 20/20 Monthly Giving Challenge. Celebrate the year 2020 – the year of healthy vision – by becoming a monthly donor to help Prevent Blindness Wisconsin achieve its vision for each Wisconsin resident to have healthy vision at every stage of life! An investment of $20 per month provides one Certified Vision Screening for a child or adult, helping them take the first step on the path to healthy vision for life. Will you accept our challenge to make a gift of $20 per month for 20 months and help 20 individuals improve their vision health? |
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Special Events Intern Prevent Blindness Wisconsin is looking for a volunteer Special Events and Communications Intern to assist in the planning of our three annual events as well as other events and development duties that include: auction solicitation, sponsor recognition, and newsletter creation. For more information, please email Bridget at [email protected]. Interns Interns are needed all year-round! If you are interested in learning about Prevent Blindness Wisconsin’s internship opportunities, please contact Breanna at [email protected].
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Your support allows us to carry out our vision for each Wisconsin resident to have healthy vision at every stage of life. Thank you!
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