Latest News Optical Industry’s Rockin’ for New Eyes Closes 2020 With New Year’s Eve Virtual Concert By Staff Monday, January 4, 2021 12:18 AM NEW YORK—This year’s Rockin’ for New Eyes (RFNE), a benefit concert for New Eyes for the Needy, had special significance for the musicians—members of the optical industry—who viewed the New Year’s Eve event as a way to bring their colleagues together from afar, and support New Eyes’ mission to bring eyeglasses to those in need, during an unprecedented year. “2020 has been a tough year for any music event, but we found a way to keep this great New Eyes charity alive during the pandemic,” said Bob Stein, a New Eyes board member, whose band, Bass Curve Band, performed in RFNE. “Although we all miss the fun and camaraderie that goes with the live event at the Hard Rock Café at Times Square, this event has been a voyage of discovery in truly remote coordination, social distancing, recording, mixing and production.”The 2020 in the Rearview Mirror concert aired on New Eyes’ YouTube channel, Dec. 31. The event benefited New Eyes’ prescription eyeglass program in the U.S., serving people in financial need. New Eyes encouraged viewers to donate $23, going towards a pair of eyeglasses for an individual in need. Stein, who is retired, most recently held the role of chief philanthropic development officer at National Vision Inc. In 2019, the RFNE concert was held live at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York. “Funny origin, but the Bass Curve Band is actually a combination of “Optyx” (the National Vision house band) and various performers from the Rockin’ for New Eyes band,” said Stein. ”A number of years ago, I proposed the name Bass Curve Band as a bad pun reference to the optical lens manufacturing terminology ‘Base Curve.’” For more information on RFNE, visit https://new-eyes.org/odeto2020Through the generosity of RFNE sponsors, New Eyes has raised $105,000, going toward the nonprofit’s U.S. eyeglass program. National Vision is a Diamond Sponsor of Rockin’ for New Eyes. Additional sponsors are:Gold SponsorsJobson Optical GroupTransitions/EssilorSilver SponsorsAerial Vision InternationalCat Eyewear by InspecsCostco OpticalEyewear by R.O.I.Eyewear Designs LTDInspecsL’Amy AmericaMCQ LLCDenise Mogil, Member, New Eyes Board of TrusteesNouveau EyewearRobert Stein, Member, New Eyes Board of TrusteesUnitedHealthcareKristine Van Amsterdam, President, New Eyes Board of TrusteesZyloware Bronze SponsorOmg!