Salus University is proud to announce Rosemary Connors, anchor and reporter for NBC10 News in Philadelphia and Emmy award recipient, will again co-host Salus University's 12th annual “Looking Out for Kids” (LOFK) charity fundraiser on Saturday, November 3, 2018 at the Hilton City Avenue in Philadelphia. The University’s annual LOFK initiative helps raise money to offset the costs of The Eye Institute’s (TEI) school vision programs.
This is the fourth time Connors has graciously hosted the event. Not only has she volunteered her time to host the annual gala, but she also actively participates in several other charity organizations regularly. She is currently a board member for the non-profit Metropolitan Area Neighborhood Nutrition Alliance (MANNA). For over 25 years, MANNA has cooked, delivered medically appropriate meals, and provided nutrition counseling to residents throughout the region who are battling life-threatening illnesses.
Additionally, Connors is a loyal supporter of the Kyle Ambrogi Foundation, a non-profit that promotes education and awareness of depression in teens and young adults. She also serves on the Philadelphia Leadership Council of Ashley Addiction Treatment, a non-profit facility specializing in substance use disorders.
“Looking Out for Kids” recently expanded its services to support additional healthcare for children in need. Money raised at the fundraiser provides thousands of vision screenings to disadvantaged children on an annual basis, comprehensive eye examinations for hundreds of children who have failed the screenings and two pairs of eyeglasses each to underserved and underinsured children in Philadelphia, Montgomery, Delaware and Chester County schools.
"As a former school nurse, I've witnessed firsthand the benefit of such an important resource," said Gwen Mabine-Watts, Clinical Community Outreach Coordinator. "There are so many children who would not be able to receive appropriate vision care if it were not for the excellent services provided through The Eye Institute's school vision program."
During the 2017-2018 academic year alone, TEI’s vision care team provided vision screenings to more than 4,300 children, conducted more than 750 eye exams and dispensed more than 900 pairs of eye glasses to children in need. Since its inception in 2007, the LOFK charity benefit has brightened the lives and enhanced the educational performance of thousands of children locally.