Community Pharmacy Helps Communities Worldwide to Read

Online, December 2, 2009 (Newswire.com) - Thanks to a donation from Kerr Drug, thousands of people in developing countries around the world will have a new pair of glasses to help them read. Rather than discard the outdated inventory, the Raleigh, NC based drug store chain donated thousands of pairs of old reading glasses and accessories from 80 of its stores to New Eyes for the Needy. The Short Hills, New Jersey charity recycles donated glasses for distribution to children and adults in developing countries around the world. New Eyes volunteers will sort the reading glasses by magnification and re-package them for distribution through small medical missions.

"Kerr Drug is a pioneer in the concept of community pharmacy, and we are delighted to be in a position to help bring clear site to people in communities around the world," says Anthony Civello, president and CEO of Kerr Drug. "We chose to work with New Eyes for the Needy because they are an outstanding organization that does important work around the world."

Kerr Drug's donated glasses will help adults and children in Ghana, Honduras, India, South Africa, St. Marten and other countries. Medical missions that partner with New Eyes will deliver the glasses to residents who often have no means of obtaining glasses on their own. New Eyes will also supply Kerr Drug's glasses to large charities such as Feed the Children, Physicians for Peace and the Tree-Land Foundation to provide glasses for distribution through eye clinics in developing countries.

"Kerr Drug's generous donation goes a long way towards helping New Eyes to fill the almost daily requests for reading glasses that we receive from religious groups, humanitarian organizations and optometrists who volunteer their time and services to answer the vision care needs of poor people overseas," explained Susan Dyckman, executive director of New Eyes. For more information about New Eyes, visit www.neweyesfortheneedy.org.