CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) - The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation, along with the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC, hosted a special event on Monday, October 21, at Matilda F. Dunston Elementary School, bringing free eye exams and eyeglasses to more than 175 Charleston County students through their partnership with Vision To Learn. The event was part of a $1.5 million multi-year initiative between the Tepper Foundation and Vision To Learn, the nation's largest school-based vision care provider. Students from Matilda F. Dunston Elementary received eye exams and were given eyeglasses at no cost to them or their families. “More than 3 million children across the country go to school every day without the glasses they need,” said Vision to Lean Founder Austin Beutner. “When children come to school hungry, we feed them. We make sure students have the books and school materials they need. Why not glasses?” Nicole Tepper, Carolina Panthers legend Mike Rucker, Panthers mascot Sir Purr, Charlotte FC mascot Sir Minty, and the TopCats Cheerleaders were present to help the children try on their new glasses in a fun, celebratory environment filled with confetti and music. “It’s been amazing seeing every student at Dunston Elementary get vision care from Vision to Learn, but today was even better–watching students try on their glasses for the first time with the help of the Panthers and Charlotte FC,” Matilda F. Dunston Elementary School Principal Stephanie Mitchell added. “I know it’s a day our kids will never forget, and I know these glasses will help our kids achieve their dreams through education.” In South Carolina, approximately 200,000 students need glasses but do not have them. Vision To Learn provides essential eye care services to children, especially in low-income communities where access to glasses is limited. The Teppers have been strong advocates for Vision To Learn’s work in the Carolinas since 2019 when they first supported its expansion into Charlotte.