A recurring theme in this blog is the celebration of people and/or organizations that have a positive impact on their communities. What they do is not easy, but it’s inspirational, and we don’t hear enough about them. So I’ve decided to commit to singing their praises at least once a month. I’m calling it Mid-Month Marvels. If you have any suggestions for the focus of this monthly spotlight, let me know in the comments below!
Check out my new glasses! Woo hoo!
The fact that I can always get new glasses when I need them is basically because I was born in this country and happen to have a job that actually has vision insurance. In other words, dumb luck on my part. Not everyone is that lucky.
According to the World Health Organization, it is estimated that 120 million people are visually impaired because of uncorrected far and near sightedness. I know that I am practically rendered helpless without my glasses. I can’t imagine going through life like that. It’s a particular problem for children who are going to school and can’t even see what the teacher is writing on the board. How do you learn to read if you can’t see the words?
All my life I have been donating my old pairs of glasses to the Lions Club Recycle for Sight Program, because when the Lions Club saw this need, they wanted to fill it, and so do I. But the other day it occurred to me that I’ve never known what happens next with the glasses I donate. So I decided to find out.
According to the Lions Club, most eyeglass places will accept old glasses, including sunglasses and reading glasses, for the Lions Club. You can also contact the Lions to ask for a donation drop box that you can put at your place of business or your community gathering place. The Lions will pick these glasses up on a regular basis.
Once they have them, they ship them to the nearest Lions Eyeglass Recycling center. Volunteers there will sort the broken ones from the intact ones, clean them, and determine the prescription strengths. The broken ones are recycled for scrap, and the money they get from that goes to support local Lions Club Projects. This also helps keep things out of the landfills, and reduces the amount of stuff you have lying around and taking up space, which is nothing but a good thing. None of the funds from Lions club donations go for administrative expenses. All are for charity.
The usable glasses are packaged and stored for when they have eyeglass dispensing missions around the world, where vision screenings are performed and the glasses are provided free of charge.
I encourage you to contact the Lions Club to obtain a collection box if you have the space, or donate your old specs at the nearest collection box, and if you can, please support the club financially so they can continue their efforts to bring sight to the wider world.
Personally, I love the idea of some kid discovering the pure joy of reading while wearing my glasses. So, thanks for your support!
Isn’t it great to be able to see? And have your read any good books lately? Try mine! http://amzn.to/2mlPVh5
The View from a Drawbridge 