National Vision Participates in the 2017 Service Above Self Golf Invitational Tournament
On May 22, 2017, National Vision had the honor of participating and supporting the 7th Annual Service Above Self Golf Invitational Tournament.
From left to right: Michael Thomas, Alex Louw, Jeff Pierson, and Tom Carroll.
This event was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Brookhaven (a city in the northeastern suburbs of Atlanta), and benefits the SHARE Military Initiative at the Shepherd Center. The Shepherd Center is a private, not-for profit hospital in Atlanta, Georgia devoted to the medical treatment, research and rehabilitation for people with spinal cord injury and disease, acquired brain injury, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain and other neuromuscular problems.
National Vision Senior Vice Presidents Tom Carroll (Real Estate), Michael Thomas (Operations) and Alex Louw (Marketing) represented us at the event. They were joined by National Vision’s Marketing Director Jeff Pierson.
National Vision was a Corporal level sponsor for the event held at the Cherokee Country Club in Atlanta, Georgia. Army veteran and SHARE graduate, Sergeant Gary Herbert, was the guest speaker.
Our Commitment
At National Vision, we are committed to supporting our nation’s current and transitioning service members and their spouses. We operate 56 military optical locations across the country and since October 2014 we have employed 382 self-identified military veterans and/or veteran spouses.
Last year we made a commitment to hire a minimum of 500 veterans and/or veteran spouses over the next five years across all of our retail brands. Within those 500 positions, we have committed to hiring a minimum of 100 military veterans and/or veteran spouses in technology-focused positions as part of the Joining Forces initiative.
Testimonials
Thomas, Louw, Pierson and Carroll at the golf course.
Michael Thomas says: “The Rotary Club and Service Above Self does an outstanding job with our veterans. The event was inspiring from the morning introduction, the bagpipe player, National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, Moment of Silence to the singing of God Bless America. Closing the event out with comments from a veteran that worked closely with the Shepherd Center made it one of the best events I have attended; it was not just about golf and you knew donations were going to the right cause.”
Alex Louw adds: “The SHARE program and others like it desperately need to expand to help more of our veterans cope with the invisible injuries they bring home with them. It is truly an honor to do anything possible, however large or small, to help the men and women who have served our country. We can all do more.”
Jeff Pierson says: “It was wonderful to be part of an event to contribute to such a great organization like the Shepherd Center, which provides exceptional care and rehabilitation to returning soldiers like Sgt. Gary Herbert. A SHARE graduate, Sgt. Herbert made a very impactful speech at the event and reminded us that this is a lifesaving program.”
About the SHARE Military Initiative at the Shepard Center
Started in 2008, the SHARE Military Initiative provides free medical and rehabilitation care for members of the military who have sustained mild to moderate traumatic brain injuries (TBI), along with co-occurring PTSD or other mental health concerns (such as depression or anxiety), while serving in Iraq or Afghanistan.
It also provides assistance, support, and education to members of the military and their families as they return to their homes and communities so they can achieve the highest levels of independence and quality of life.
In 2016, 48 people benefited from the SHARE Military Initiative and 82% of therapy goals were met by the end of the 10-12 week treatment program.
Jessica Altamirano
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