Harlem Globetrotters to donate eyeglasses to kids in need

December 21, 2010

The world famous Harlem Globetrotters basketball team will use their upcoming 2011 Four Times the Fun tour to help provide eyeglasses for kids in need.

The team, which is known for their ball-handling wizardry and artistry, will donate funding for four pairs of eyeglasses for every four-point shot players make throughout the tour.

These first-ever four-point shots can be made from two designated spots on each side of midcourt, located 35 feet from the basket. These spots are 12 feet beyond the NBA's official three-point line.

The campaign is expected to provide more than 5,000 pairs of eyeglasses for children in need across the world by the end of the Globetrotters’ 274-game, 220-city North American tour in April.

"The Harlem Globetrotters have been bringing smiles to children throughout the world for more than eight decades," said Globetrotters CEO Kurt Schneider. "And just as every kid deserves to smile, it's an even more basic right for kids to be able to see properly. We're thrilled that each four-point shot we make can have an impact across the world."

The donations are made possible through a partnership with America's Best Contacts and Eyeglasses and the charitable organization VisionSpring.

Routine eye exams are recommended for children to detect any sight problems as well as to rule out issues that can affect vision development, academic success and sports vision, according to AllAboutVision.com.