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Broncos Linebacker Von Miller Helps Kids See Better

DENVER (CBS4)- The Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller took time to help the younger generation see more clearly. He met with Denver students as part of his Von's Vision charity event.

More than 125 students were given free eye exams and provided necessary eye wear during Von Miller's Back To School Vision Day event on Friday. More than 50 volunteers at STRIVE Prep.-Sunnyside helped the kids with eye exams before they head back to school.

Of those 128 students between the ages of 5 and 18, 116 needed vision correction after the eye exam. For the first time in Von's Vision history, thanks to a partnership with VSP Mobile Eye clinics, students received their new glasses on site. Children were also given a free book from Reading is Fundamental.

Miller said he makes sure to show the kids that glasses are cool.

Von Miller
Von Miller's Back to School Vision Day event on Friday (credit: CBS)

"I'm sitting here and trying on glasses with kids and you can just tell, like, some kids don't want to wear them 'cause they're cool and they see the glasses I'm wearing and they make the glasses cool," said Miller.

Every year 5,000 low-income first grade students enter Denver Public Schools without ever seeing an eye doctor. More than 1,900 of them need glasses.

Friday's event was the biggest turnout so far for Von's Vision. To reach the goal of providing 300 pairs of corrective eyewear to children heading back to school, gift certificates were handed out to students who were not able to attend on Friday.

"It's the one thing they need to have a solid foundation in the classroom. There is no better way to start the school year off than with glasses and books to get these kids on the right track," said Miller in a statement.

More Information from Von's Vision:

All-Pro Linebacker, Von Miller, founded Von's Vision in 2012 with the mission to better the vision of Denver-area youth by providing them needed eye examination and eyewear to succeed in the classroom and in life. For more information, visit vonmiller.org.

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