Chicago teen recognized for efforts to provide eyeglasses to the poor

March 4, 2010

A Chicago teenager is being recognized for her effort to offer sight to the less fortunate.

Janice Guzon, who collected for the poor, has been named the top high school volunteer in Illinois by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards, according to the Chicago Tribune. The honor is part of a nationwide program that honors youth volunteers.

Guzon is the founder of EYEsee, which is an international mission that collects eyeglasses to give to residents of poor countries who cannot afford their own eye care. She was inspired to start the organization after reading on the internet that many people who live in underprivileged countries do not have the eyeglasses they require.

"I've always taken my eyeglasses for granted, until that point," she told the news provider.

Guzon collected more than 7,000 pairs of eyeglasses in 2009 and has a goal to double that number of 2010.

According to the American Optometric Association, if you begin to experience symptoms such as blurred vision or having trouble seeing near or far objects, you may need eyeglasses to correct the problem.