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.

Speaking at a reception hosted by Special Olympics here on Sept. 13 at the National Museum of the American Indian, Essilor International chairman and CEO Hubert Sagnieres told an audience of Essilor executives, Special Olympics officials, Olympic champions and Special Olympics athletes, “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 was on hand along with Olympic champions Michelle Kwan and Donna DeVarona.



At the Special Olympics reception were, standing, (l to r) Stephen Shawler, president, Essilor Vision Foundation; Raymund King, MD, JD, Essilor Vision Foundation board member; Bob Colucci, chairman, Essilor Vision Foundation; Dr. Timothy Shriver, chairman and CEO, Special Olympics; Olympic champions Donna DeVarona and Michelle Kwan; Hubert Sagnieres, chairman and CEO, Essilor International; Kevin Rupp, CFO and executive VP, finance and administration; Essilor of America. Seated in front is Patrick Esquerre, Essilor Vision Foundation board member.