Durham Charter School Celebrates Nearly 400 Students Receiving Free Glasses Through Vision to Learn

Durham, NC - September 23, 2026 - Durham Charter School hosted a special event pep rally yesterday with Vision to Learn, and the David and Nicole Tepper Foundation, to celebrate more than 400 Durham Charter School students receiving free glasses. The celebration featured the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC, including Panthers legends Damiere Byrd and James Anderson, the Panthers' Top Cats cheerleaders, and the teams' beloved mascots, Sir Purr and Sir Minty, who joined Durham Charter School's own mascot, Les the Lion, to cheer on students.

Vision to Learn delivers eye exams and glasses directly at school during the school day, removing common barriers like cost and transportation. As of August 2026, the organization has conducted more than 165,000 vision screenings, provided over 56,000 eye exams, and distributed more than 50,000 pairs of glasses across the Carolinas - part of a national effort addressing the more than 4 million children nationwide who go to school without the glasses they need.

The celebration comes on the heels of a $3.4 million multiyear commitment the David and Nicole Tepper Foundation recently announced to expand Vision to Learn's reach across North and South Carolina, including the Raleigh-Durham region. Vision to Learn currently operates in four regions across the Carolinas: Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Charleston, Raleigh-Durham, and Greenville-Spartanburg.

We are incredibly grateful to Vision to Learn and David and Nicole Tepper for providing glasses to so many of our students. We were astounded that more than 40% of students screened needed glasses. This generous philanthropy helps ensure we meet our mission to support scholars and prepare them to thrive in college, career, and life.