Utah groups provide free eyecare to low-income students

 SALT LAKE CITY — On Friday, some students were treated to free eyecare at the SightFest event.  

Friends for Sight worked with the Murray and Canyons school districts to provide low-income students from underserved populations within those districts with free eye exams and glasses.

“The work Friends for Sight does is vital for keeping school-age children happy and healthy. SightFest is a chance to see all the work we do come together and serve instant results to these children and their families,” said Friends for Sight marketing intern and former KSL NewsRadio intern Estella Weeks, who was at Friday’s event. 

“When you see them put their glasses on for the first time and their face lights up because they have never seen this clearly in their life, it’s incredible. They are able to walk in and walk out in a matter of less than an hour and quite literally see the world different at no cost,” Weeks said.

The group hosts eight to 10 events each year and hopes to increase that number.

According to a news release, each SightFest event provides up to 125 students with free eye exams and glasses.

SightFest is more than a mobile vision clinic, it’s communities coming together on one big
day to take care of each other. SightFest are wonderful events because you see school district staff, nurses, volunteer optometrists and dozens of community members coming together to help those who right now, can’t help themselves. Every kid deserves the ability to see clearly and dream big,” Friends for Sight Executive Director Jamie Justice said in a press release.

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