The name is changed, the mission expanded!

Sight Savers of Alabama is now SIGHT SAVERS AMERICA, dedicated to insuring even more children their best possible vision.

"The organization's name and capacity to serve more children are all that has changed," emphasized Jeff Haddox, Sight Savers Founder and CEO. "Our programs and procedures for advocating children's eye health are exactly the same. Our organization has experienced over a decade of evolving and expanding," continued Haddox. "The new name, Sight Savers America, along with our new logo and revamped website, more accurately represent our broader role as the national model for childhood vision health."

Explaining that the name Sight Savers America positions the organization for future growth, Haddox said, "the stage is set for expansion into other states." That expansion is actually already underway. Beginning in fall, 2008, all Mississippi kindergarten students will be screened for vision problems in their public schools. Those who fail eye screenings will be referred to Sight Savers America and each child assigned a personal Case Manager to oversee his or her vision needs. Sight Savers signature Rehabilitation Services Division will also offer its services to children with low vision or to those who are blind.

Mississippi children will receive the same level of care which Alabama children have come to expect from Sight Savers, including help setting up appointments, appointment reminders, arranging transportation if needed and following through on all aspects of treatment. Sight Savers helps provide eyeglasses, medications, surgeries, vision and blind aids, low vision clinics and other prescribed treatments to low income families at little or no cost. "Mississippi is one of ten states that has expressed interest in bringing the Sight Savers Standard of care to their children," said Haddox. "We are in discussions now with Louisiana lawmakers and education officials. Tentatively we plan to begin our work there in fall, 2009."

WSFA reports on recent vision screening in Montgomery, Alabama

» Read the complete story here.

Sight Savers Moves into Mississippi!

» Click here for details.


Sight Savers America (formerly Sight Savers of Alabama) honored with Visionary Award
from the Eyesight Foundation of Alabama

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 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. 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.”