Music Under the Stars
Support 20/20 vision on Friday, April 20th, celebrating 20 years of free eye care for children. The Florida Heiken Children’s Vision Program, a division of Miami Lighthouse for the Blind, which over the years has provided 65,000 children from low-income families with eye examinations and prescription glasses when needed will celebrate its 20-year anniversary that will take place at Miami Lighthouse located at 601 SW 8th Avenue from 7:00pm-10:00pm.
The anniversary will be recognized at the annual Miami Lighthouse Music Under the Stars: Bon Appétit Miami, with special guest José Feliciano and performances by the Miami Lighthouse Better Chance Music Production Program™ musicians, food from many great Miami restaurants and beverages by Bacardi. This year’s mistress of ceremonies is United States Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, co-chair of the Congressional Vision Caucus. Music Under the Stars has become a much-anticipated highlight of the South Florida philanthropic season.
The Florida Heiken Children’s Vision Program has been instrumental in helping underserved children achieve success in school and to avoid the behavior problems that all too often accompany school difficulty. Vision problems often are a factor in poor school performance, and studies have linked the problem to delinquency as well. “The children we serve have the potential for academic success because of their glasses, which their families would not have been able to afford” said Virginia A. Jacko, President & CEO of Miami Lighthouse.
The program uses four mobile units and an extensive network of in-office optometrists to provide comprehensive eye examinations with dilation to children who would otherwise have no access to eye care. Children who need eyeglasses–about three-quarters of those served–receive them free of charge through an agreement with a provider.
