WASHINGTON—Essilor International, the official global supplier of ophthalmic lenses to the Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes program since 2002, is renewing its partnership with the program for the next decade.

Essilor International chairman and CEO Hubert Sagnières made the announcement at a reception in his honor hosted by Special Olympics here on Sept. 13 at the National Museum of the American Indian. Speaking to an audience consisting of Essilor executives, Special Olympics officials, Olympic champions Michelle Kwan and Donna DeVarona and several Special Olympics athletes, Sagnières said, “We are proud to announce our commitment for another 10 years.”

Essilor’s involvement with Special Olympics will now be handled through the Essilor Vision Foundation.

“We celebrate the partnership [with Essilor],” said Dr. Timothy Shriver, chairman and CEO of Special Olympics, who presented a plaque to Sagnières honoring his leadership and support of the organization. Shriver noted that Essilor has made it possible for Special Olympics to provide free eyeglasses to nearly 100,000 athletes worldwide.  ■

   
 Attending the Special Olympics reception, (l to r) are Stephen Shawler, president, Essilor Vision Foundation; Essilor Vision Foundation board member Raymund King, MD, JD; Bob Colucci, chairman, Essilor Vision Foundation; Dr. Timothy Shriver, chairman and CEO, Special Olympics; Olympic champions Donna DeVarona and Michelle Kwan; Hubert Sagnières, chairman and CEO, Essilor International; Kevin Rupp, CFO and executive VP, finance and administration; Essilor of America. Essilor Vision Foundation board member Patrick Esquerre is seated in front. (L to R) Greg Chavez, VP, member services, The Vision Council; Deborah Malakoff-Castor, VP, shows and meetings, The Vision Council; Hubert Saginères, Essilor International; Stephen Shawler, Essilor Vision Foundation and Ed Greene, CEO, The Vision Council.
 
 
 With Essilor of America’s Kevin Rupp (l) are (l to r) Laurent Vacherot, COO, Essilor International; John Carrier, president of Essilor of America; and David Hettler, OD.
 Hubert Sagnières, Essilor International, accepts a plaque from Dr. Timothy Shriver, chairman and CEO, Special Olympics, honoring his support of Special Olympics.
   
 Among the guests (l to r) are Paul Berman, OD, founder of Special Olympics Opening Eyes program; Diane Gillis, director, ECP relationship management, Essilor of America; and Paul du Saillant, COO, Essilor International.
 David Eagan, (l) and Ashley Counts, global ambassadors for Special Olympics, spoke about the importance of supporting the “dignity revolution” for people with intellectual disabilities.