153 Million Reasons Lions Recycle for Sight
According to The World Health Organization, 153 million people have uncorrected refractive errors (near-sightedness, far-sightedness or astigmatism). Most of these vision impairments are quickly diagnosed and easy to treat with corrective lenses.
Still, millions of people in developing nations are pushed deeper into poverty simply because they don't have glasses. They can't learn, because reading is difficult. They can't work to the best of their ability, because they can't see clearly.
It costs Lions less than US$0.08 to provide a pair of recycled eyeglasses and change someone's life.
For children, clear vision means a better education, healthier development and a better quality of life. For adults, it means greater employment opportunity and economic strength. For seniors it means less dependence on others.
Lions clubs collect millions of eyeglasses each year, making eyeglass recycling one of our most popular activities.
Free for You – Priceless to Them
Imagine if you could help a child read. An adult succeed in his job. A senior maintain her independence. And provide a community with more opportunities to grow and thrive.
Everyday, our recycled eyeglass programs do all of this and more. Here's how you can help.
Drop Your Eyeglasses in Lions Collection Boxes
You can drop off your old eyewear at Lions-sponsored collection boxes in the Crown Point area or in your community. Typical locations include libraries, schools, community centers, places of worship, coffee shops, optometrist offices and other public locations where communities socialize and get together. For information specific to locations in your community, contact the Crown Point Lions Club.
FYI...
The Indiana Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center utilizes the assistance of two prisons in processing donated eyeglasses. Participating prisoners receive training and information on Lions' missions and the countries where the eyeglasses will be distributed. Throughout their communities, the Indiana Lions circulate wooden recycling boxes to schools, churches and other organizations interested in collecting eyeglasses on behalf of the association. The boxes are built by local Lions and high school students from wood scraps provided by a local cabinetmaker.
The Lions in Indiana sent a mission team composed of medical professionals, Lions volunteers, Wawasee High School Spanish students and teachers to Mexico to distribute eyeglasses to needy people. Held during spring break, the students learn all aspects of working a mission and, most importantly, gain an understanding of helping others. The team's goal for the second trip was to serve 4,000 people in four days. By trip's end, 5,000 people had been assisted. The third mission group went to Tlaxcala, Mexico and served over 7,000 people in four days.
