ATLANTA – The Atlanta Hawks and Georgia’s Own Credit Union joined together with Vision To Learn, a non-profit provider that grants free eye exams and glasses to students in metro Atlanta, to host a special celebration at Evoline C. West Elementary School. More than 100 students received new eyeglasses, a book of their choice and a bookmark as part of National Reading Month.
The highlight of the event featured the Atlanta Hawks Foundation announcing a $1.2 million monumental commitment to Vision To Learn over the next two years. This landmark donation guarantees that every Title I student from kindergarten through fifth grade will receive essential vision screenings and prescription eyeglasses, effectively removing a major barrier to literacy and classroom engagement for thousands of children across metro Atlanta, Georgia’s Own Credit Union said.
Participating in the event were Ann Hollister, president of Vision To Learn; Jami Gertz, principal owner of the Hawks; Steve Koonin, CEO of the Hawks; Nick Ressler, VP-strategic planning and alternate governor of the Hawks and chairman of the Atlanta Hawks Foundation, and Josh Powell, Hawks alum, two-time NBA champion and Euro League Champion, as well as representatives from the three organizations.
“Clear vision is a fundamental tool for learning, yet it’s an essential resource that too many students in our community are forced to go without,” GOCU President and CEO Dave Preter said in a statement. “At Georgia’s Own, we are honored to partner with the Hawks to scale the vital work of Vision To Learn and ensure that every child has the clarity they need to succeed in the classroom and grow into the leaders of tomorrow.”
Photo Opportunities
Those in attendance also had the opportunity to take photos with featured members of Hawks Entertainment and special guests, including Harry the Hawk and the ATL Hawks Dancers. DJ Stevo was also on site to keep the attendees entertained.
In November 2025, the Atlanta Hawks Foundation and Vision To Learn launched the Atlanta Vision Project, a new three-year initiative expected to reach approximately 270 underserved elementary schools across the five-county metro Atlanta region to ensure every child in need across metro Atlanta has access to the vision care they need.
“Every day, children in metro Atlanta attend school without the necessary glasses to aid them in seeing the board, reading a book, or engaging in classroom activities,” the organizations said. “The main obstacle they face is the absence of access to vision services in low-income communities. Addressing this issue, Vision To Learn delivers vision services directly to students at school through the use of mobile clinic vans. The organization works with school site personnel and district administrative staff to arrange visits. Students receive prescribed glasses and are able to select their frames with the guidance of a Vison To Learn optician. All students are presented with a diverse array of stylish frames in various colors and sizes to choose from.”
Since 2017, the Atlanta Hawks Foundation has partnered with Vision To Learn to service schools in metro Atlanta by providing students with over 48,000 eyeglasses and over 59,000 free eye exams.
