VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Free Eye Exams

The POA, in conjunction with the VSP Eyes of Hope Mobile Clinics Program, and with the support of the Salvation Army Harrisburg Capital City Region, is pleased to announce that we will again be providing no-cost eye examinations for the community of Harrisburg.

The event will take place on Friday, September 26 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday, September 27 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Salvation Army Building on 29th Street in Harrisburg. While our target is pediatric patients, in prior years, we have seen patients from one year to 90 years old. Eligibility screenings and scheduling will be conducted by the Salvation Army staff, with the day-of program being managed by VSP staff, volunteer doctors, and practice staff. That is where POA members come in.

POA’s Vision statement is to create access to high‐quality eye‐health and vision care for all citizens of Pennsylvania. This is an opportunity for our members to bring that statement to life. Please register for this important event. We need to hear from you by August 8, so we can begin the registration process for patients. We know that September seems light years away but it will be here before we know it!

We are relying on our membership and your staff to donate time to volunteer for this important program. All we ask is that you go online and register for a time slot (or slots) on one or both days. VSP will be providing 6 full lanes of equipment for our use so we need to have a minimum of 6 doctors for each session. They will also be providing an on-site lab, lenses, and frame selection should glasses be necessary for any of the patients – at no cost.

Please note that we do not provide dilated exams for every patient. While we are aware that this is the standard in doctors’ offices, it is not possible for this event. However, in the instance where a doctor feels it is necessary upon initial intake, you will have the ability to do so.

We ask that that each doctor sign up at least one staff member. They will assist the VSP staff with intake, pre-screening, and frame selection and fitting, among other tasks. We also need opticians to assist in the selection of and adjustment of frames once they are fabricated.

Last year, many members of the Hispanic community came to us for exams and our bilingual volunteers were incredibly helpful in making these patients feel welcome and assisting them with their paperwork, exams, and frame selections. We are reaching out to our bilingual doctors and staff to volunteer for this important opportunity. We have patients from all walks of life and all parts of the world and that’s what makes this an incredible experience.

On behalf of the POA, thank you for giving your time to help us support the children and adults in our community who may otherwise never have a full eye examination.

Thank you to Central PA Optometric Society for their financial support of this event!