FOREST PARK – Earlier this week, nearly 90 students at J.E. Edmonds Elementary School in Forest Park received free prescription eyeglasses and a book of their choice thanks to a partnership between the Atlanta Hawks Foundation, Georgia’s Own Credit Union, and Vision To Learn. The event, held in honor of National Reading Month, featured a graduation-style ceremony celebrating the young students and their new glasses.
Photo by Noah Washington/The Atlanta Voice
The initiative is part of an ongoing effort to remove vision-related barriers to learning and promote literacy among elementary school students in the metro Atlanta area. Since 2017, the Hawks Foundation has collaborated with Vision To Learn to provide more than 48,000 free eye exams and over 39,000 prescription eyeglasses to students.
“We are partnering with the Atlanta Hawks and Vision To Learn to provide free eyeglasses to pre-K through fifth-grade students here,” said Marin Kraushaar, Executive Director of Georgia’s Own Foundation. “Vision To Learn” provided free eye exams to several hundred students, and those who needed glasses could choose their favorite colors. It’s been a few months in the making, but today we’re here, and I think there are a lot of happy kids inside.”
The event featured appearances by Hawks Entertainment, including mascot Harry the Hawk, the ATL Dancers, and the Flight Crew.
Atlanta Hawks forward Mouhamed Gueye was also in attendance, engaging with students and witnessing their excitement firsthand.
“It’s always great to help out the kids—I love them,” said Gueye. “They were amazed by my height and me being a Hawks player, but more importantly, seeing their joy when they received their glasses meant the world to me. I think vision is important, and these kids are the country’s future. We have to do everything we can to help them.”
Gueye shared a message with the students as someone who wears glasses himself.
“Take advantage of it—getting new glasses is fun,” he said. “Pick different colors and just enjoy going to school.”
Ann Hollister, President of Vision To Learn, emphasized the importance of partnering with sports organizations to make an impact.
“We know that our sports partners are so important to the kids. We can tell kids to wear glasses, but if Mouhamed tells them to wear glasses, it means a lot more,” she said.
Hollister also praised the Hawks’ commitment to making the event a memorable experience.
“Nobody does events like the Hawks. They make them fun for the kids and a real celebration. It’s a really special thing to be a part of, thanks to the energy and resources they bring.”
The initiative selects a different school to participate each year, ensuring the impact reaches students across various districts.
“We really look to the Hawks for guidance, and they’ve helped different school districts in the area,” Hollister said.
Reflecting on the students’ excitement, Hollister noted the enthusiasm that Hawks mascot Harry the Hawk brings.
“Every kid loves Harry. He gets it going. It’s a special talent of mascots that I’m always in awe of.”
Hollister also stressed the long-term benefits of receiving the glasses.
“My hope is that the kids will wear their glasses and see the difference it makes in their schoolwork and life in general. And if they lose or break their glasses, we’re here to give them free replacements.”
Families are encouraged to prioritize regular vision check-ups.
“Everybody should have an annual exam. We’ll be back here at Edmonds in two years, but we hope families will also seek out local providers for future exams.”
Vision To Learn has made the process simple for students needing replacement glasses.
“They can go to their teacher or counselor. Within a year, if they lose or break their glasses, they can reach out to us on our website. The school knows how to contact us, and we can pull up their order and send another pair.”
Nura Reeder, an art teacher at J.E. Edmonds Elementary, expressed her excitement about the event’s impact on her students.
“I’m hoping that wearing their glasses will give them confidence and help them feel smarter,” she said. “Maybe just feeling smarter will encourage them to actually wear them.”
Reeder also highlighted the students’ excitement about meeting a real Hawks player.
“It gave them something to brag about—something special they can say happened to them.” She predicted an energetic atmosphere when the students returned to school. “I think they’re going to be showing off their glasses, comparing them, and just excited to share their experience.”
The collaboration between the Hawks, Georgia’s Own Credit Union, and Vision To Learn is rooted in a shared commitment to community engagement.
“This is the fourth year of this program, and it just keeps getting better,” Kraushaar said. “Empowering young students through vision and literacy is something we’re passionate about and will continue to support.”
