North Charlotte Today

Life has become clearer for many school-aged children in Mecklenburg and Charleston counties, thanks to a new partnership between The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation and Vision to Learn. This collaboration aims to provide eye care at no cost to tens of thousands of students in the region.

This week, as part of the initiative, more than 250 students received prescription eyeglasses. The distribution took place at Matilda F. Dunston Elementary School in North Charleston, South Carolina, where over 175 students were served, and at Renaissance West STEAM Academy in Charlotte, which provided glasses to over 80 students.

Vision To Learn Founder Austin Beutner highlighted the importance of this initiative by stating, “More than 3 million children across the country go to school every day without the glasses they need... The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation’s support will help ensure more children in the Carolinas get the help they need.”

The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation has pledged $1.5 million over five years for this cause. Nicole Tepper emphasized their commitment by saying, “Education is a core pillar of our work... Our children deserve the ability to see the future in front of them.”

Orlando Robinson, Principal of Renaissance West STEM Academy, praised Vision To Learn's program as "a powerful intervention" for students lacking regular access to eye care. Similarly, Stephanie Mitchell, Principal of Matilda F. Dunston Elementary School, expressed joy seeing students receive vision care with support from local sports teams.

Carolina Panthers rookie linebacker Trevin Wallace shared his experience with glasses during a celebration event. He remarked on witnessing a student's joy upon receiving glasses: “I can see now!” Wallace also shared his personal story about overcoming bullying related to wearing glasses.

Charlotte FC forward Patrick Agyemang addressed the stigma associated with wearing glasses: “It helps in the long run... you shouldn’t be ashamed of it.”

Since its inception in 2019 in Charlotte, Vision To Learn has helped nearly 105,000 children by providing eye exams and glasses at no cost. Pete Silverman from Vision To Learn projected that with continued support from The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation, they could soon screen around 30,000 kids on-site at schools.

Silverman stated: “We’ll make sure all those kids that needs this care get it.” In South Carolina alone, approximately 200,000 students are estimated to lack necessary eyewear—a number that this partnership aims to reduce gradually.