NEW YORK—“We’re putting the band back together.” This iconic line, famously uttered by John Belushi’s "Joliet" Jake Blues character in the Blues Brothers movie, has become the rallying cry of a group of optical industry musicians and singers who have a burning desire to rock for a good cause. That good cause is ECN Purpose, a recently formed non-profit foundation dedicated to helping educate the public about eye health and facilitate access to vision care among people who are unemployed, uninsured, impoverished, elderly, immobile or in foster programs or youth sanctuaries.

A program to provide mobile eye exams for underserved populations in conjunction with public serving organizations is in the planning stages, as VMAIL previously reported.

The optical rockers are supporting ECN Purpose by donating the proceeds from a rock concert fundraiser, Rock4Sight, to be held April 2 at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Funds will be generated through corporate donations and ticket sales.
 
“Bringing the common goals of ECN Purpose and Rock4Sight together to impact those in optical need is serendipitous," said Aspasia Shappet, president and CEO of ECN Purpose. “The two organizations in partnership, perfectly align with the mission and culture of ECN Purpose.
 
"We give our heartfelt thanks to all of our 2022 sponsors of the Rock4Sight Charity Event at the Hard Rock Cafe," added Shappet. "We look forward to this fun and impactful reunion of our industry, and hope to see you there.”
 
The Hard Rock is familiar turf for the band, which has performed there for many years on behalf of other optical non-profits. The band is a collective consisting of about 30 members who make up four different ensembles, each of which performs for about an hour. Their return to the Hard Rock, after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, is a source of pride for the musicians, many of whom have played together at optical fundraisers every year since their first show in 2008.
 
“It has been a very bumpy ride navigating our way through the COVID pandemic and keeping this great industry event alive,” said Bob Stein, a former optical executive and guitarist who is one of the show’s organizers. “Our last live show at the Hard Rock Café was in 2019. We managed to put a virtual show together for New Year’s Eve, 2020.
 
“As always, the music, production, marketing and organization is all a volunteer effort. I cannot say enough about the dedication of all of those involved, and also the vibrant energy on the part of all of the musicians to get back on the Hard Rock Cafe Stage and entertain our industry friends. We promise a great night of energy, dancing, and long-awaited camaraderie with this industry that we all love so much.”
 
Another of Rock4Sights’ organizers, John Alofs, a drummer who is president of Eyewear by R.O.I., added, “We cannot thank our sponsors enough for once again stepping up to support the great work of our charity partner ECN Purpose and the amazing work that they do to provide eyewear and eyecare to those less fortunate. These services are especially important during a pandemic when access is even more difficult and money for these products less available.”
 
For the Rock4Sight show, Diamond Guitar Sponsors include National Vision and Rock4Sight. Gold Guitar Sponsors are Avēsis, Jobson Optical Group, Denise and Scott Mogil, Stein Family Charity and UnitedHealthcare/Spectera. Silver Guitar Sponsors include Aerial Vision International (AVI), Caterpillar Eyewear by Inspecs, Eyewear by R.O.I., Eyewear Designs, Karen Kane, L’Amy America, Marcolin, M.C.Q., Marco, Modo Nouveau Eyewear, Ocuco and Zyloware.
 
Tickets for Rock4Sight are $80 and can be purchased at https://ecnpurpose.org/events. The Hard Rock Cafe requires proof of full vaccination (a booster is not necessary) at the door before being allowed to enter. New York City will be following the most updated CDC guidelines with regards to mask wearing requirements.
 
To become a Rock4Sight sponsor, email ECN Purpose at hello@ecnpurpose.org.