More than 50 foreign ophthalmologists will donate 6,500 pairs of glasses to Chonburi residents at a Gift of Sight Foundation event Nov. 11-20 at Pattaya School No. 7.
Bandit Siritanyong, vice president of the Thai-Chinese Cultural and Economic Association, and Pongthep Leungsuwan, representatives from Gift of Sight Foundation in Thailand announced the second-annual event Oct. 23. Last year the group donated 4,000 pairs of glasses.
Representatives and organizers announce the second-annual Gift of Sight Foundation eye-glasses giveaway event.
Gift of Sight was founded with the intention to help the poor obtain free eye exams and glasses. Since 1999, the group has helped more than 350,000 people, he said.
“The Gift of Sight” is a collaboration between the Public Health Ministry and One Sight Foundation of the United States, which organized a team of eye doctors from 40 countries to perform checkups and prescribe glasses.
In addition, doctors will offer advice on maintaining good eye health and preventing eye diseases. Those at risk of blindness will be sent to a hospital or nursing center for further care.
Twelve different groups will be able to present names of needy individuals for the campaign. Demand last year was overwhelming, with Sattahip district turning away many who thought they qualified.
This year, Pattaya was allotted 850 slots while the Pattaya Police can nominate 250 people and Father Ray Foundation another 300.
Laem Chabang gets 600 nominations and the Pattaya Press Club 50. The rest are split between six other Chonburi districts.
Those who received free glasses previously are not eligible for new pairs. To register, call the Pattaya Call Center at 1337.
