Start the School Year Right—By Looking Out for Kids

As the start of a new academic year approaches, parents are busy preparing their children for the classroom — from gathering school supplies to setting new routines. But one of the most important steps often overlooked is an annual comprehensive eye exam.

According to the American Optometric Association, one in four school aged children have a vision problem that affects performance in the classroom. Clear vision plays an important role in a child’s academic success, and undetected vision issues can lead to struggles in reading, focus, and overall performance in school.

That’s why we’re reminding families of the importance of scheduling an eye exam at The Eye Institute before the first day back. It’s also why our Looking Out for Kids (LOFK) charity matters more than ever. LOFK provides essential comprehensive vision care services and eyewear to underserved children in our local communities, ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive in and out of the classroom.

Among her many accomplishments during her career at The Eye Institute (TEI), LOFK’s founder, Dr. Susan Oleszewski personally garnered strong corporate and community involvement to provide these services for children who otherwise would go unserved. Since establishing the LOFK charity initiative, she has been the central figure in raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to support vision care and eyeglasses for economically disadvantaged children in Philadelphia and its surrounding communities. 

Although this year’s LOFK charity fundraiser was unfortunately canceled at the last minute, the need for support hasn’t gone away. Children in our community still rely on LOFK and TEI for access to comprehensive eye care and glasses — essential tools for success in school.

We want our donors, corporate partners, and community supporters to know that their contributions remain vital. You can still make a meaningful impact by supporting LOFK and helping ensure every child has the clear vision they need to thrive this academic year.

In a personal note, Dr. Oleszewski wrote recently:

Dear colleagues: 

In 2007, I, along with a dedicated staff, founded the “Looking Out for Kids” charity (LOFK). This initiative has become an important component of our community-based pediatric clinical training program. As importantly, LOFK has made a meaningful impact on the visual health of tens of thousands of economically disadvantaged children in the Philadelphia and suburban public schools.

Pennsylvania College of Optometry’s (PCO) faculty and students have every reason to be proud of the public health impact this charity makes every year by providing comprehensive vision care and eyeglasses to thousands of children. 

The Looking Out for Kids initiative is funded each year through grants, the annual LOFK fundraiser, and the generosity of alumni and friends of PCO. Regrettably, this year’s annual charity fundraiser had to be canceled at the last minute. The event was scheduled at a venue that was in the proximity of a Center City demonstration that hosted several hundred thousand attendees. In an abundance of caution and safety concerns, the LOFK event was canceled. Unfortunately, the event cancellation means that the charity will struggle to meet the budgetary needs required for this coming academic year.   

With all that as background, I am asking you to please consider making a meaningful gift to the Looking Out for Kids charity. I have been assured that if your gift is stipulated to support LOFK, the dollars will absolutely support the vision care needs of the children we serve. 

I know that many of you support multiple charities every year. I hope you will consider LOFK as one of your charities this year.   

Thank you in advance for your generosity. 

Sue O 

Susan C. Oleszewski 

Professor Emerita