New Eyes for the Needy to Salute Jake Gyllenhaal

Nov. 14, 2012 - PRLog -- New Eyes for the Needy will be saluting Jake Gyllenhaal on the evening of Monday, November 19 at the restaurant Colicchio & Sons in New York City to celebrate his role as an ambassador and fundraiser for the nonprofit. The date is rescheduled from its original date of Monday, October 29, the day Hurricane Sandy hit the Northeast. The actor will be in attendance.

“New Eyes has been very fortunate to count Jake as a longtime booster”, said Susan Dyckman, Executive Director of New Eyes. “He’s been a great supporter and as New Eyes celebrates its 80th anniversary, we wanted to show our appreciation for all his work done on our behalf.”

The evening will begin at 7:00 with a cocktail reception and photo opportunities, followed by dinner and presentations at 8:00.

As a near-sighted child, Gyllenhaal became acquainted with New Eyes through his grandfather. He suggested that his grandson send his old used glasses to New Eyes so that someone else would benefit from their use, and  for many years Gyllenhaal continued to donate his used eyeglasses. Several years ago he strengthened his support for New Eyes by publicly advocating for the nonprofit through celebrity interviews, taping videos on behalf of New Eyes and attending a New Eyes fundraising event, “See For Change”, in New York City last year.

Tickets to the event are still available and can be ordered through http://neweyesfortheneedy.org.

The public can also participate in the online auction at http://stores.ebay.com/Auction-Cause/New-Eyes.html and bid on celebrity experiences and memorabilia. Auction items include a meet & greet with Jake Gyllenhaal at a performance of his off-Broadway play; breakfast or lunch with Bear Grylls in Los Angeles; a personalized autographed guitar from Maroon 5 with tickets to "The Voice" and an upcoming concert; a personalized autographed copy of Gwyneth Paltrow's cookbook; Chef's Table for 6 at Mario Batali's Manzo in NYC; and a Jay-Z autographed “Carter” #4 Nets jersey with 4 court-side seats to a Nets game. Auction proceeds go towards New Eyes for the Needy’s program to purchase new prescription eyeglasses for the poor living in the United States. Bidding closes Monday, November 19 at 9:00pm.