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A local organization providing glasses to the world's poorest countries needs your help this weekend.
Global Vision 2020, a non-profit eyeglass charity that creates prescription glasses for under $4 a pair, is part of an online fundraiser called Project for Awesome.
"For many people, they would know John Green. He wrote Fault in our Stars. Those who are in education know about their Crash Course educational programming on YouTube and Facebook. They've had over a trillion views for their education programs," said Pastor Greg Wiens, Canadian program director for Global Vision 2020. "Each year, they run a large charity project called Project for Awesome, where they raise millions of dollars for non-profits they tap the shoulders of."
This year, Global Vision 2020 was one of them.
"We're one of the top 100. It's all about votes now," said Wiens. "Starting today until Sunday morning, they have votes, and whichever organization gets the most votes, likes, and comments wins the most money for their project."
In 2023, Project for Awesome raised $3,069,686.33, including several generous matching donations. The donations were split between two organizations chosen by John & Hank, along with thirty charities chosen by the online video community.
Wiens says the funds will go a long way in helping their organization.
"Congo is a nation of 95 million people, and there are four optometrists, and they're all in the capital city. So, that means if you need a pair of glasses in Congo, it is statistically impossible," said Wiens. "This is a project that can really fill in the gaps where there is no access to optometric services. This is Getting a tool into the hands of family doctors, nurses, teachers, and health care aides that can do 92 percent of the work in the field in a very productive way."
You can vote for Global Vision 2020 in Project for Awesome here.