SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (FOX Carolina) - Hundreds of students in Spartanburg County are starting the school week with a clearer view of the classroom after receiving free eyeglasses through a community partnership.
The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation teamed up with the Carolina Panthers and other organizations to distribute the glasses during an event Friday at Broome High School. Panthers legends Mike Rucker and Jonathan Stewart made a surprise appearance for students from four area elementary and middle schools, celebrating as confetti fell and music filled the auditorium while children tried on their new frames.
Educators say the impact extends far beyond simple vision correction.
“When you’re sitting in a classroom and you can actually see the board, or you can see your book or what you’re reading for the first time, you can see your teacher,” said Spartanburg District 3 Superintendent Dr. Julie Fowler. “There’s nothing more important than the teacher in front of the classroom. And you can read your teacher’s expressions while you’re listening to her voice, and, you know, there’s just not a substitute for that.”
The David and Nicole Tepper Foundation has committed more than $5.2 million to Vision To Learn across North and South Carolina, helping deliver more than 50,000 pairs of glasses to students since the initiative launched.
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