Press Release
                   

                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                   
Prevention of Blindness Society
of Metropolitan Washington

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                              
November 6, 2009                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                  
Contact:
Jennifer Heilman
Director of Communications
Phone: (202) 234-1010
E-mail: jheilman@youreyes.org
 

PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS SOCIETY OF METROPOLITAN WASHINGTON® ANNOUNCES LOCATION OF NEW HEADQUARTERS

Union Station neighborhood to be the future home of POB

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington (POB) today announced the purchase of a 4,580 square foot building located at 235 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Washington, D.C.

"This is a momentous occasion in the 74-year history of POB. The new building will help strengthen POB's programs and the services it provides for the local community by allowing them to come together under one roof," said Allen E. Beach, president of POB's Board of Trustees. "It will also allow POB to continue toward its goal of expanding its outreach and preventing the needless loss of sight."

The new facility will enable POB to relocate its headquarters, fulfilling the organization's increased need for additional administrative office and meeting spaces, and accessibility. It will also allow POB to expand its current eye health services to the local community by providing a location for both a new eyeglasses clinic and low vision center. POB currently serves the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area including Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland, and northern Virginia.

The building was originally built in 1920 and was most recently occupied by Baurley & Associates. After minor renovations, POB plans to move to the new building in early 2010. POB will leave its current headquarters at 1775 Church Street, NW, which will then be sold.

Media Inquiries: Photographs are available upon request. Please contact Jennifer Heilman at jheilman@youreyes.org.

About the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington:
Founded in 1936, the Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington (POB), the largest local prevention of blindness agency in the United States, is dedicated to the improvement and preservation of sight by providing services, education, advocacy and innovation. POB screens more than 7,500 children annually for vision loss and strabismus and 5,000 adults for glaucoma. POB also serves nearly 8,000 low-income and homeless persons at its eyeglasses clinic. POB sponsors the Aging Eye Network, the Macular Degeneration Network and the Stargardt’s Network. For more information on vision problems or about POB programs and services, please call (202) 234-1010, or visit POB on the Web at www.youreyes.org.

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