Salus University Hosts its 13th Annual Looking Out for Kids Charity Fundraiser

Each year, Salus University hosts a charity fundraiser event called Looking Out for Kids (LOFK) to help support some of the Philadelphia area’s most vulnerable children by raising money through not only corporate support but also an online auction.

Emmy award-winning anchor and reporter Rosemary Connors from NBC10 News in Philadelphia once again hosted, this being her fifth time as emcee of the event. Among the special guests that Connors brought to the podium during the evening were three children – after all, what would the LOFK event be without the children it serves – to share how Salus University’s initiatives and clinical facilities have helped them.

“They came to my school, and they were being nice and they helped me find the perfect glasses,” said Keyerah M., age 11. “It was very hard because I couldn’t see the board, so I always had to sit in the front and couldn’t sit with my friends. When I got my new glasses, I got to sit where I wanted. I feel like I’m learning a whole lot of things because I can see much better. I’m reading more, I’m enjoying math more, and I’m busy doing everything.”

As the founder of LOFK, one of Dr. Susan Oleszewski’s primary roles was to ensure that there were enough resources every year to provide comprehensive vision care services and eyeglasses to disadvantaged children in the region. Fortunately, Dr. Oleszewski developed a long-standing relationship with Alan Lindy, president of Lindy Communities, which has proven to be a huge benefit for the LOFK program ever since. Because of that commitment to the program, in addition to his and his family’s continued commitment to the local community, Lindy was honored as the 2019 Lighthouse Award recipient.

One in four children suffers from vision problems which can negatively impact their school performance and impede social development. For decades, The Eye Institute’s doctors and optometric interns have been providing vision care services for children in need within the Philadelphia community. The LOFK vision care initiative and charity fundraiser was originally established in 2007. All funds raised throughout the event help to provide vision care services and eyeglasses to uninsured and underinsured children in Philadelphia and its surrounding communities.