Speaking on Business: Friends for Sight

This is Derek Miller, Speaking on Business. For many Utah students, a pair of glasses can be key to learning, confidence, and success. But access to vision care is increasingly out of reach for thousands of families. That’s where Friends for Sight steps in. Development Director, Julia DeLeeuw, joins us with more. Julia Deleeuw: At Friends for Sight, we believe vision care isn’t a luxury — it’s a basic need. Our mission is to break down barriers so every Utahn can see clearly and thrive. We do this through free vision clinics, school and community screenings, and our signature pop-up event, SightFest. Here’s the reality — 70 percent of Utah students who fail a vision screening never get the glasses they need. That’s tens of thousands of kids. That’s why SightFest matters. In just one day, we turn a school gym into a full-service eye clinic. Volunteer doctors and staff provide eye exams and fit over 100 students with their first pair of glasses — delivered to their school within weeks. What’s really great is that we’re ready to double the number of SightFests across Utah — but we can’t do it alone. If you want to get involved, a 50 dollar donation gives a child glasses. Or sponsor an entire SightFest to help transform a school community. Derek Miller: Friends for Sight is making a big impact in making vision care more accessible for Utahns, and with your support, they can do more. Visit Friends for Sight.org to learn more and see how you can get involved. I'm Derek Miller, with the Salt Lake Chamber, Speaking on Business. Originally aired: 8/11/25