Sight Savers has been honored by The Eyesight Foundation of Alabama by being named as the foundation’s first “Visionary Award,” winner. Jeff Haddox, Sight Savers founder and CEO accepted the award at an October event celebrating the Eyesight Foundation’s 10th Anniversary.

The Visionary Award along with a check for $50,000 were given in recognition of Sight Savers efforts’ to bring eye care to low income/indigent children throughout the state. “Sight Savers of Alabama has become a “national model” for childhood vision health,” says Torrey Smitherman, ESFA executive director. Leaders from “other states” are now contacting Sight Savers to set up the same services for their children in their own respective areas.

Sight Savers provides a comprehensive and timely vision health program for young children. After receiving referrals of children identified through a variety of screening programs, Sight Savers “adopts” the child’s eye care from parental notification of a potential problem to final conclusion that the appropriate eye care is obtained. This process includes scheduling appointments with their volunteer network of eye doctors and optical shops, reminder calls, scheduling transportation, and recording all results, an often tedious process accomplished by their dedicated staff of patient coordinators.

Sight Savers also has placed vision aids in the homes of more than 120 Alabama children suffering with low vision, and they are beginning the task of placing assistive technology in the homes of children who are totally blind.

In accepting the award Haddox said, “I can think of no greater honor than to be named the Eyesight Foundation’s first Vision Award recipient. I have no words to fully express my gratitude for this honor and for this very generous $50,000 gift which will enable Sight Savers to continue our work.”

Haddox added that the Eyesight Foundation’s “generous heart and giving spirit” have been constants within the local Birmingham area community as well as throughout the state.

“Many, many people are in your debt,” he added. None, more so than Sight Savers of Alabama. Your, support, encouragement, and belief in Sight Savers and the work we do, have been and continue to be the driving force behind our growth and success.”