Meetings
Members

EYEGLASS RECYCING

Changing Lives, One Pair at a Time

In just about any dresser drawer, one can find a pair of eyeglasses that are no longer being used. That same pair of eyeglasses can change another person's life.

Lions Recycle for Sight

That's why we started the Lions Recycle for Sight program. Everyone can help. Throughout the year, the Reedsburg Lions collect used eyeglasses and deliver them to regional Lions Recycling Center at Rosholt Wisconsin. Volunteers clean, sort by prescription strength and package the glasses. Most of the recycled glasses are distributed to people in need in developing countries where they will have the greatest impact.

Eyeglass Recycling – How You Can Help

Donate glasses and change someone's life. Imagine if you could help a child read. An adult succeed in his job. A senior maintain their 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 donate glasses and help.

Drop Your Eyeglasses in Lions Collection Boxes

You can drop off your usable eyewear at Lions-sponsored collection boxes in Reedsburg at the followng locations:

Reedsburg Library 370 Vine St.

WCCU 820 Viking Drive

St. Vincent DePaul 675 South Albert Ave

Associated Bank. 750 Viking Drive

Reedsburg  State Bank 130 Viking Drive

BMO Harris Bank  500 Viking Drive

Community First Bank 115 East Main St.

Reedsburg  Area Medical Center 2000 North Dewey Ave

Dr. Philip Hasler 1104 21st St.

May Vision Center  251 2nd St.

The Reedsburg Lions Club Supports Area Charities and Youth Programs

  • $2,500 Donation to Reedsburg Veterans Memorial
  • $5,000 Donation for Startuo of Reedburg Boys & Girls Club
  • $2,000 Gazebo at Sauk County Senior Life Center
  • Reedsburg Area Youth Basketball
  • Donation to Sauk County Seal-A-Smile
  • Donation to Reedsburg Area Medical Center Kids Fit & Safe Day
  • Donation to Reedsburg Public Library Reach Out & Read
  • Donation to Reedsburg Educational Foundation CAL Center
  • Brown Bag Ministry (backpack for kids)
  • RAMC - American Heart Association "In Your Heart"
  • $5,000 Donation to Reedsburg Hospital Foundation
  • Reedsburg United Fund Kick-Off & Radio Auction
  • Eye Exams and Glasses
  • Hearing Exams and Hearing Aids
  • S.O.A.R Reading Program
  • Summer Outdoor Adventure Club (SOAC)
  • Provided free use of Lions Building to numerous non-profit organizations
  • Reedsburg Youth Wrestling Program
  • Reedsburg Area Food Pantry
  • RAHS Millennium Field Concession Stand
  • $1000 Scholarships to up to 5 High School Seniors
  • Sponsor Reedsburg Little League Team
  • Reedsburg Youth Hockey Association
  • Sponsoring Area Children to Attend Camp Rosholt
  • Adopt-A-Highway Program
  • Lions' Eyeglasses Collection and Recycling
  • Privides Vision Screen Public and Private Schools 4-year old and 5-year old kindergarteners in Reedsburg Area
  • Co-Sponsor of Hunters Night Out
  • Participation the Reedsburg Butter Festival
  • Concession Stands in Lions Building for Area Youth Organizations

 

Lions Programs Supported

By Reedsburg Lions Club

  • Provides Cornea Transports for Wisconsin Eye Bank (May & November)
  • Donations to Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin
  • Donations to Lions Club International
  • Donations to Wisconsin Lions Foundation – Camp Rosholt
  • Donations to Leader Dog for the Blind Program

 
Lion ‘Express’ saves sight

A “Pony Express” comprised of Lions is riding out of Reedsburg, carrying corneas instead of mail. Lions Club members hit the road any time of the day or night, on a mission to save sight.

The Reedsburg Lions Club have saddled up to join a system patterned on the 1800s Pony Express mail delivery. The statewide system was organized by the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin to transport sight-saving corneas to replace damaged or diseased corneas.

“Lions Clubs across the state have been involved in this a number of years,” said Dick Fish, Reedsburg member and one of the board of directors. The Reedsburg Lions joined to Conea Transport Express in 2013 initially sharing the transport for one month with anoter Lions Club.  Our members expressed a desire to become more involved and we now have responsiblity for cornea transports in May and November every year sice 2014.

For those who have chosen to be a donor, recovery of donor-eye tissue takes place within hours of death. With one call, the Cornea Express springs into action. Reedsburg Lion Dick Fish fields calls from the Eye Bank and either responds to the call himself or dispatches a Reedsburg Lion rider – Joe Fish, Clark Pettersen, Terry Geyman, Jerry Griffin, Bob Roloff, Dick Schulenbug, Mike Gargano, Steve Broton, or Mike Anderson – with details for pickup and delivery of corneas.

Reedsburg Lions transport recently donated corneas from Lake Delton to the Eye Bank of Wisconsin in Madison were the corneas are tested and process for transplant.  Reedsburg Lions also transport corneas for transplant from Lake Delton to Tomah. Other Lions Clubs members transport corneas from the Tomah hub to hospitals in Western or Northwest Wisconsion for transplant.

These Lion riders are on call 24 hours a day, just as the old Pony Express riders were. If complete eyes are being transported, timing is urgent to remove the cornea from the eye. Lions might be called in the middle of the night to move them. When the cornea has already been removed, which allows more time for transportation, the riders will usually be called only between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m.

The corneal transport is taking a step further in the Lions mission, creating a permanent solution where previously they helped with temporary solutions.

“It’s kind of an eerie feeling,” Fish said. “Transporting them. It’s not a heart transplant, but it’s close.”

Corneal transplants are common

A corneal transplant is one of the most frequently performed human transplant procedures. Corneal transplants are typically performed within three to five days after donation. In 2012, the Eye Bank of Wisconsin provided 1,054 corneas for transplant, of which 824 were transplanted in Wisconsin and an additional 289 tissues were used for research.

Donated corneas are all delivered to the Eye Bank in Madison where they are tested and processed before being sent to hospitals for transplants. Age, cataracts or poor vision do not prohibit anyone from becoming a donor. Following careful medical evaluation, corneas unsuitable for transplant are used for medical research and teaching.

Prospective donors should indicate their desire on the Wisconsin donor registry and/or their driver’s license. Family members should be told to ensure that the donor’s intention is met. Donation is completely anonymous.

As Lions, our goal is to make a difference – and we have – over and over again with programs that succeed

 

Lions Clubs International News
Connect with Us Online
Twitter