Matthew Putney/The Courier via AP In this Wednesday, May 16, 2018 photo, Brenda Loop helps Juan Alvarez-Ramirez put on his new glasses at the Vision to Learn event at Irving Elementary School in Waterloo, Iowa. A mobile clinic provides free screenings, eye exams and glasses to needy students in low-income schools across central and eastern Iowa.

WATERLOO, IA — A group of Irving Elementary School students each received a gift last week that will bring more clarity to their education.

Twenty-nine children assembled in the gym, where their names were called one at a time. When they walked up to a table each child was fitted with a pair of eyeglasses that had been made just for them. An audience of educators, volunteers and parents applauded with every pair of glasses placed on a face.

The ceremony was Vision to Learn’s final presentation of glasses to Waterloo Community Schools’ elementary students this year. The program has a mobile clinic that provides free screenings, eye exams and glasses to needy students in low-income schools across central and eastern Iowa. It started working in the district last fall and also served students at Highland, Lincoln and Lowell elementary schools as well as Dr. Walter Cunningham School for Excellence.

“We have served over 350 students in the Waterloo Community School District, and over 250 will receive free eyeglasses,” said Corrine Kroger, Vision to Learn’s regional director.