Yash Gupta

After breaking his glasses in 2010, Yash Gupta realized while waiting a week for a new pair that it was almost impossible to learn anything in his high school classes without being about to see clearly.

Upon discovering that tens of millions of school-age children worldwide need glasses but can’t afford them, Gupta, of Irvine, Calif., decided he wanted to help. He founded Sight Learning, an organization that has collected and distributed more than $900,000 worth of used eyeglasses to students in the U.S., India, Mexico, Haiti, Honduras and other countries.

Sight Learning has also sponsored or partnered with other organizations to offer eye clinics – where students receive examinations and free eyeglasses – in four countries. Gupta, now 18 and a high school senior, has found time to personally participate in three such clinics, including one in New Delhi, India.

“Back in 2010, it occurred to me that most people don’t do anything with their old glasses,” says Gupta. “I searched through my own house and found 10 pairs. I realized these could help 10 kids who have trouble seeing and learning, and that was how I came up with the idea for Sight Learning.”

Yash Gupta, in front of his high school, shows some of the donated eyeglasses he has collected.

With help from his father, Gupta set up the organization and made publicity materials and a website. Then he approached a local optometrist, who agreed to partner with him and put out a drop box where patients could donate their used eyeglasses.

Through that first contact, Gupta quickly collected 150 pairs of glasses and gave them to a partner organization for distribution.

“I knew then we could make a real difference,” says Gupta. “If I could find 10 pairs of glasses at home, and an eye doctor could give me 150 in a month, I knew we could build and grow and reach thousands of students in need.”

Gupta estimates that about 70 people in Irvine, including family, friends and optometrists, have contributed volunteer time to Sight Learning.

Having surpassed his goal of collecting and distributing $750,000 worth in used glasses, he now aims to pass $1 million by next month. Gupta, who wants to pursue a career in law, plans to continue his work with Sight Learning while he is in college.

“Sight Learning is constantly rewarding to me,” says Gupta. “The total number of people who need glasses and can’t afford them, in the U.S. and other countries, is around 300 million. Many organizations are helping, and our specialty is trying to help students. At our eye clinics, I’ve had the chance to watch kids put on prescription glasses for the first time. Words can’t describe that experience.”

Nanci Boutet

Meet Nanci Boutet, a Daily Point of Light Award winner. Read her story and nominate someone you know as a Daily Point of Light.

Nanci Boutet has such a passion for surfing, she named her Kennebunk, Maine, surf shop Aquaholics. And she’s sharing her love for the sport with special needs children who feel great joy in the water.

In 2005, a local special needs advocate named Maureen Dow brought three children with Asperger’s syndrome to Boutet for surf lessons. After seeing how much the kids enjoyed the being in the water, Boutet created Special Surfers Nights that summer. “We don’t limit who can participate – kids with autism, Down syndrome, anybody can come,” Boutet says.

The events are held every third Tuesday of June, July and August. After the children get into their wetsuits and on their surfboards (which Boutet provides), the parents get to sit back, watch the festivities and socialize. Each child is assigned two dedicated volunteers, one to teach surfing techniques and one to spot.  The children learn about timing and balance. Most importantly, they are encouraged to have fun.

While the first year’s event had three kids, each of the three nights in 2012 attracted 90 kids (the registration limit) and roughly 300 volunteers – 270 children and nearly 1,000 volunteers total.

Boutet sees expanding the program to other parts of the country. In the meantime, she is looking to raise funds to provide more equipment and extend the event to the summer weekends.

People who want to become a part of Special Surfer Nights can sign up as volunteers on www.aquaholicsurf.com about a month in advance. People who want to find out about other ways to get involved or to donate can check out the Special Surfers Aquaholics Facebook page.

Boutet says no disability should prevent a child from indulging in the opportunity to surf. Over the years she has seen the joy kids clearly feel – the laughing, the smiling – as soon as they get in the water. “I really look forward to the event all year,” she says.