Industry News

image courtesy of Special Olympics

Safilo Group, a worldwide leader in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of optical frames and sunglasses, sports eyewear, goggles and helmets, and Special Olympics, the international non-profit organization dedicated to transforming the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, renewed their partnership, which will see them united again for the next three years.

Thanks to this renewal Safilo and Special Olympics have further strengthened their relationship, which began in 2003 and is now celebrating its 18th anniversary. It is an important milestone especially considering that over the years more than 1.3 million frames and sunglasses have been donated to Special Olympics athletes all over the world, as part of the Special Olympics Lions Clubs International Foundation Opening Eyes^® program.

Safilo’s commitment, however, is not only represented by the donation of optical frames, but also by the personal involvement of the Group’s employees who, in recent years, have participated, as volunteers, in concrete initiatives linked to the organization of Opening Eyes events for the benefit of athletes with intellectual disabilities.

“We are very proud to announce the renewal for the next three years of our partnership with Special Olympics, as we are continuing to strengthen the journey we began 18 years ago,” said Angelo Trocchia, CEO of Safilo Group. “Our goal from the very first day has been to create a lasting relationship and commit ourselves daily to supporting specific programs aimed at correcting sight defects with the awareness of having a decisive and positive impact on the lives of millions of people around the world through the donation of our frames and sunglasses. This commitment is also part of our sustainability strategies, an ongoing engagement based on three main pillars: people, products, and planet.”

“Special Olympics is honored to gain the continued support of Safilo Group as part of a shared commitment to providing inclusive health for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Together with the eye health, vision care, and global health community, Special Olympics is excited to enter into this renewed partnership with Safilo to drive needed support to Special Olympics athletes around the world,” according to David Evangelista, President, and Managing Director, Special Olympics Europe Eurasia

In addition to donations of frames and sunglasses, the partnership also provides Special Olympics athletes with the opportunity to benefit from eye examinations and referrals for follow-up checks through Opening Eyes services supported by Safilo and other cooperate sponsors in the eye care community.

About Special Olympics

Founded in 1968, Special Olympics is a global movement to end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. They foster the acceptance of all people through the power of sport and programming in education, health, and leadership. With more than six million athletes and Unified Sports partners in over 201 countries and territories and more than one million coaches and volunteers, Special Olympics delivers more than 30 Olympic-type sports and over 100,000 games and competitions in a typical year. Engage with them on: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and their blog on Medium. Learn more at www.SpecialOlympics.org.

About Safilo Group

Established in 1934 in Italy’s Veneto region, Safilo Group is one of the eyewear industry’s principal players in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of optical frames, sunglasses, sports eyewear, goggles, and helmets. The Group designs and manufactures its collections by blending stylistic, technical, and industrial innovation with quality and skillful craftsmanship. With an extensive global presence, Safilo’s business model enables it to monitor its entire production and distribution chain. From research and development in five prestigious design studios, located in Padua, Milan, New York, Hong Kong and Portland, to its company-owned production facilities and network of qualified manufacturing partners, Safilo Group ensures that every product offers the perfect fit and meets the highest quality standards.

Reaching approximately 100,000 selected points of sale worldwide with an extensive wholly-owned network of subsidiaries in 40 countries and more than 50 partners in 70 countries, Safilo’s well-established traditional wholesale distribution model, which encompasses eyecare retailers, chains, department stores, specialized retailers, boutiques, duty-free shops, and sporting goods stores, is complemented by Direct-to-Consumer and Internet pure player sales platforms, in line with the Group’s development strategies.

Safilo Group’s portfolio encompasses its own core brands: Carrera, Polaroid, Smith, Safilo, Blenders, Privé Revaux and Seventh Street. Licensed brands include: Banana Republic, BOSS, Eyewear by David Beckham, Elie Saab, Fossil, Givenchy, havaianas, HUGO, Isabel Marant, Jimmy Choo, Juicy Couture, kate spade new york, Levi’s, Liz Claiborne, Love Moschino, Marc Jacobs, Missoni, M Missoni, Moschino, Pierre Cardin, PORTS, rag&bone, Rebecca Minkoff, Tommy Hilfiger, Tommy Jeans and Under Armour.

Original link:https://www.opticaljournal.com/safilo-and-special-olympics-international-together-again-until-2024/