GLAM4GOOD Mobilizes Influential Brands to Continue Disaster Relief Efforts for Sick Children and Their Families Still Recovering from Hurricane Maria
June 4, 2018 /3BL Media/ - GLAM4GOOD, the award-winning, empowerment platform and non-profit organization, headed to Puerto Rico to hold an emergency aid initiative in San Juan on Wednesday, May 23rd. This event was planned in response to a request from San Jorge Children’s Hospital to bring help, happiness, and hope to children who are not only dealing with critical illness, but also with the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.
“We all became the same, no social statuses mattered; there were no differences when the hurricane hit on September 20th, 2017,” explains Urania Dominguez, Child Life Specialist at San Jorge Children’s Hospital. “Other relief efforts have focused on housing and food, which are essential, but the gifts provided by GLAM4GOOD gave these children an opportunity to be kids again. Something they haven’t had in almost eight months.”
Dozens of GLAM4GOOD volunteers flew in from across the country to help outfit the pediatric patients, their families and the hospital staff and community with new, gifted clothing, accessories, eye care, eyewear, toys and learning tools.
“GLAM4GOOD is honored to provide aid and empower hope, healing and happiness for the brave little ones, their families and the hospital staff at San Jorge Children’s Hospital. This hospital is a beacon of light during hard times for the Puerto Rican people throughout the island. We know this event helped to brighten spirits, honor courage and bring aid to this resilient community,” said Mary Alice Stephenson, fashion and beauty expert and the Founder & CEO of GLAM4GOOD.
“As a critical part of the outreach, GLAM4GOOD partnered with Child Life United who provided a team of child life specialists to work with the patients, their families and hospital staff alongside GLAM4GOOD as they navigate the emotions that come with grief, loss, and trauma,” said Courtney Moreland, Founder & Director of Child Life United. “It is amazing to see what can happen when good people come together to do good work. The hospital was a buzz for days after. We are so glad this event benefited the staff too, everyone here deserves love and support.”
Partnering once again with some of the world’s most popular brands and retailers – including H&M, Kendra Scott, Nickelodeon, and J.Crew – GLAM4GOOD’s charitable efforts also provided clothing and other goods and services, as well as access to eye care and eyewear, to approximately 200 pediatric patients and their families, as well as the hospital staff and outpatient communities.
“H&M is proud to partner with GLAM4GOOD to support our community in Puerto Rico and join GLAM4GOOD’s efforts to empower families who are still struggling with loss, devastation and illness due to Hurricane Maria and its aftermath,” says H&M Spokesperson Emily Scarlett.
With continued support from VSP Global and Marchon Eyewear, recipients were provided with access to free eye exams and prescription glasses. Eye exams were provided by optometrists and optometry students of the Inter American University of Puerto Rico (IAUPR) School of Optometry, using portable ophthalmic equipment donated to the school through VSP Global’s Eyes of Hope program. Recipients were able to choose from popular designer optical frames and sunglasses donated by Marchon Eyewear.
One in four children on the island of Puerto Rico has a vision issue and one-third need some type of visual correction like glasses. Of those patients who received an eye exam, nearly 70% needed prescription glasses.
“In the midst of battling life-threatening illnesses, the children at San Jorge Children’s Hospital have endured tragic loss following Hurricane Maria and yet have shown a tremendous amount of resilience,” said Michael Guyette, President & CEO of VSP Global. “Ensuring the children, their families and the hospital staff can see clearly opens up the possibilities for a brighter outlook as they move forward on their journey to recovery.”
New partner Kendra Scott also participated in the relief, bringing the brand’s philanthropic roots to life in this community through their mobile Color Bar experience. Throughout the hospital event day, the children and their families created their own earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings, selecting their favorite metals and gemstones, for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience
“We were so grateful to be able to partner with GLAM4GOOD on the #SHOPPINGSPREE4FREE initiative to brighten the lives of these pediatric patients, their families and the larger community at the San Jorge Children’s Hospital during such a difficult time,” said CEO, Designer & Philanthropist Kendra Scott. “Philanthropy is at the foundation of our brand and this initiative gave us the opportunity to spread joy to Puerto Rico through our Kendra Cares program.”
If you wish to support this initiative or contribute to future GLAM4GOOD giving events, please contact info@glam4good.com. To make an immediate financial donation please visit: http://bit.ly/2soNEFS.
About GLAM4GOOD:
The GLAM4GOOD Foundation is a non-profit organization that creates and celebrates social impact, and empowerment through beauty and style. The GLAM4GOOD Foundation harnesses the healing power, joy, and attention that fashion and beauty bring to raise awareness, bolster self-esteem, promote healing, honor courage and provide life-changing makeovers, clothing giveaways and confidence-bolstering fashion and beauty initiatives for everyday heroes and people in need. GLAM4GOOD is proud to be the fashion and beauty industry’s go-to partner for corporate social responsibility and philanthropic initiatives. For more information, visit www.GLAM4GOOD.com and follow @GLAM4GOOD and #GLAM4GOOD.
About Child Life United:
Child Life United is an organization aimed at supporting the growth of child life services internationally while providing CCLS and child life students opportunities to collaboratively learn from locally sustained efforts.
About Marchon Eyewear:
Marchon Eyewear, Inc. is one of the world’s largest manufacturers and distributors of quality eyewear and sunwear. The company markets its products under prestigious brand names including: Airlock, Calvin Klein, Chloé, Columbia, Diane von Furstenberg, Dragon, Etro, Flexon, G-Star RAW, Karl Lagerfeld, Lacoste, Liu Jo, Longchamp, Marchon NYC, Marni, MCM, Nautica, Nike, Nine West, Salvatore Ferragamo and Skaga. Marchon distributes its products through a global network of subsidiaries and distributors, serving over 80,000 accounts in more than 100 countries. Marchon is a VSP Global company, which as a doctor-governed company, connects its 88 million members to affordable, accessible, high-quality eye care and eyewear. Its industry-leading businesses combine to bring quality eye care insurance, high-fashion frames, customized lenses, ophthalmic technology, and connected experiences to increase access to eye care around the world. For more information, visit www.marchon.com and follow @marchoneyewear.
About VSP Global:
VSP Global® is a doctor-governed company that exists to create value for members and opportunities for VSP network doctors. Our industry leading businesses include VSP® Vision Care, the only national not-for-profit vision benefits company, which provides access to eye care for 88 million members through a network of 39,000 eye doctors worldwide; Marchon® Eyewear, Inc., one of the world’s largest designers, manufacturers and distributors of high quality eyewear and sunwear; VSP Optics, industry leaders in ophthalmic technology and lab services, providing custom lens solutions for the vision and lifestyle needs of patients; Eyefinity®, the industry leader in practice management and electronic health record software, and VSP Retail, which focuses on increasing access to eye care and eyewear through multiple channels. Together with VSP network doctors, VSP Global's Eyes of Hope® has provided access to no-cost eye care and eyewear for more than 1.8 million people in need. For more information about resources available to help those who need eye care or eyewear due to a disaster, please visit vspglobal.com/disasteroutreach
About Kendra Scott:
Kendra Scott is a leading fashion accessories brand inspired by the personal experiences, travel, and sense of community of its CEO and designer, Kendra Scott. Sold at premier retailers including Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale's, Selfridges and over 600 specialty boutiques worldwide, the brand boasts a thriving web business and numerous namesake stores across the country. Kendra Scott is known for its kaleidoscope of beautiful accessories as well as the innovative and customizable Color Bar™ experience. As the brand continues to grow, the company remains true to its founding philosophy of "Family, Fashion, Philanthropy."
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PHOTO CREDITS: Courtesy of GLAM4GOOD
LINK TO DOWNLOAD PHOTOS: https://bit.ly/2HJlj2x
