Lions Club can put those old eye glasses to good use

The Sault Ste. Marie Lions Club wants your old eye glasses.

A news release issued by the club states that the used glasses – including prescription, non-prescription and reading glasses – are collected, cleaned and distributed to those in need in developing countries.

“In most developing countries, an eye exam can cost as much as one month’s wages and a single eye doctor may serve a community of hundreds of thousands of people," said Lions Club representative Ron Houghton in the release. "Children drop out of school because they cannot see well enough to read. Parents who need glasses may lose their jobs and grandparents become burdens for their families.”

Full text of the news release follows:

As spring cleaning gets under way, the Sault Ste. Marie Lions are asking people to look through dresser drawers and closets for used eyeglasses and donate them to the Lions Recycle For Sight program.

Year-round the SSM Lions Club collects used prescription and non-prescription eyeglasses, including reading glasses, as part of a unique recycling program. The collected glasses will be cleaned and prepared for distribution in developing countries where eye care is often unaffordable and inaccessible.

“We need everyone to donate their used eyeglasses,” said Ron Houghton, chair, Used Eyeglasses Collection Committee. “In most developing countries, an eye exam can cost as much as one month’s wages and a single eye doctor may serve a community of hundreds of thousands of people. Children drop out of school because they cannot see well enough to read. Parents who need glasses may lose their jobs and grandparents become burdens for their families.”

The donated glasses will be shipped to a regional Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centre where they will be cleaned, sanitized and prescription-read on a Lensometer to be categorized. They are then placed into zip lock bags according to prescription, packaged into boxes of 350 pairs and shipped overseas.

To donate used glasses, please place them in the specially marked Lions Recycle For Sight collection boxes. Some of these locations are Sault Optometry – Churchill Plaza, Hakim Optical – Cambrian Mall, Market Mall Pharmacy, Arthur’s Funeral Home, and Northern Vision Care at 671 Great Northern Rd.

Please visit the new SSM Lions Club e-clubhouse website to see the full list of locations and find out more about the Lions Club.

The club is always seeking civic-minded men and women to join them in making a difference in the community. Our club gives members an opportunity to advance worthy causes, serve with friends, and become leaders in the community.

If anyone is interested in joining please contact the Membership Committee Chair at [email protected] and he can provide you with further information.