> At a Glance
> – Chase Stokes teamed with Zenni Optical to gift Charleston students free eyewear on Jan. 7
> – The event provided vision screenings, exams, and fittings for local high-schoolers
> – Stokes became a Zenni ambassador in 2024 and co-designed two unisex collections
> – Why it matters: Accessible eyewear boosts kids’ confidence and classroom performance
Chase Stokes turned his adopted hometown into a pop-up clinic, handing out prescription frames and fresh confidence to teens who struggle to see the board.
How the Giveaway Worked
Working with Charleston Promise Neighborhood, Zenni Optical set up a one-day shop inside the school. Students cycled through:
- Free vision screenings
- Full eye exams
- Personalized frame fittings
Stokes arrived with boxes from his Zenni x Chase Stokes line, pulling new glasses for each kid like a stylist on a mission.
Why Eyewear Access Matters to Stokes
The actor grew up in a “family of glasses” and remembers squinting until age 16.
> “You give kids courage and confidence through giving them a way to see the world through a different lens,” he told News Of Los Angeles.
His collections-60-plus styles-start at budget prices and include blue-light-blocking Blokz and EyeQLenz lenses that adapt to indoor and outdoor light.
Key Takeaways
- 100% of exam and frame costs were covered by the partnership
- Stokes co-designs every pair to ensure he’d wear them himself
- The initiative folds into Zenni’s Vision of Wellness mental-health campaign
After a decade filming Outer Banks around Charleston, Stokes calls the city home and plans to keep philanthropy local.
> Veronica Alcaro, VP of Brand at Zenni, said the day delivered “essential vision care to students who need it most.”
