Grant to Help Students Receive Meals Through The “Kids Café” Tutoring Assistance Program

PHOTO (From L to R): Michael Dari, ABB Optical Group senior vice president of sales; Karen Martin Jefferson and Joyce McCaffrey of Eyes On You; Peter M. Casamento, Executive Director and John Jefferson, Board Member of Laurel Civic.

Nominated by Karen Martin Jefferson of Eyes On You, the nonprofit received $5,000 from ABB Optical Group

Venice, Florida (December 6, 2021) – ABB Optical Group (ABB), a leading provider of optical products and business solutions in the eye care industry, has announced that Laurel Civic in Laurel, Florida, has received a $5,000 Platinum grant through the company’s Seventh Annual ABB Cares program, which recognizes and highlights non-profit organizations in the U.S. that support their communities with outstanding work and commitment.

Nominated by Eyes On You in Venice, Florida, the Laurel Civic Association supports low-income families, providing monthly food distributions and supplemental food opportunities by helping them apply for government programs. The $5,000 ABB Cares grant will help feed students before they start their homework assistance with their volunteer tutors through the “Kids Café” program, which serves more than 200 hot meals each week to students after school.

“I’ve been a volunteer for Laurel Civic since 2008, and I was hooked on those pleading eyes of the youngest to the oldest and all the children in between asking my help from ABC’s to zoology,” said nominating optician, Karen Martin of Eyes On You. “This ABB grant will benefit the children in so many ways since a hot meal to a hungry child has far reaching results, as we’ve seen with so many cases throughout the years.”

Since the program’s inception in 2014, ABB has donated nearly $80,000 in grants to non-profit organizations in the U.S. Other 2021 grant recipients are: Brunswick Rotary Foundation in Brunswick, Ohio, and Friendship Circle of Dallas in Texas.

“The events of the past 18 months have severely impacted many non-profit organizations throughout the country so the needs this year were substantial,” said Tom Burke, CEO of ABB. “All three of our grant recipients this year are making significant contributions to their communities. “Hunger and food insecurity have been magnified in what has been an unprecedented year. The Laurel Civic program ensures underserved students have access to a hot, nutritious meal.”

For more information about Laurel Civic and its programs, visit laurelcivic.org.

For more information about the ABB Cares program and to sign up for notifications about next year's grant application process visit ABBOptical.com/ABBCares.

About Eyes On You

Eyes On You is an award-winning optical shop and boutique in Venice, Florida, offering designer eyewear, frames, sunglasses, readers and contact lenses for men and women, made to order with the latest and most innovative technology in prescription lenses. The shop also sells unique eyewear accessories and gifts for every occasion. Both optician/owner Joyce McCaffrey and on-demand optician Karen Martin Jefferson are recipients of many awards from the optical industry. In addition through memberships and contributions, Eyes On You supports many worthwhile organizations in the Venice area and has been the recipient of seven “Best of Venice” awards from the Gondolier-Sun. For more information, visit eyesonyoueyewear.com.

About ABB Optical Group

ABB Optical Group is a leading provider of optical products, services and business solutions in the eye care industry. ABB operates through three business pillars: ABB Contact Lens, ABB Labs and ABB Business Solutions. ABB is focused on the future of eye care professionals, helping them succeed by making practices more efficient and assisting providers to effectively navigate market changes. Visit abboptical.com for more information.