This week I stopped by a Lenscrafters for an eyeglass adjustment. While there, I noticed the brochures about donating unused eyeglasses or making a donation to an organization they sponsor, called OneSight. Many of you may have heard of them. Onesight is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to the global vision care crisis.
Sometimes the ability to just see the world clearly is more important than the latest looking eyeglass frames.
What crisis you may ask? According to VOSH (Volunteer Optometric Services for Humanity) approximately 670 million people worldwide are functionally blind or visually impaired because they do not have a pair of eyeglasses. This translates to failing at jobs, at school, health and personal lives. Many of those who can’t see are often mired in poverty.
Many of us have old, unused eyeglasses including non-prescription sunglasses. Several of my friends and family have had Lasik surgery and no longer require eyeglasses. My visit to Lenscrafters was a great reminder that I take for granted the fact that where we live, we have wonderful, affordable resources for ongoing vision care and eye wear. Not so for many others in this country and others. I’m delighted to report that there are several cost-free ways to make a contribution if you have some old, unused glasses sitting around. The emotional and economic impacts are huge!
For older people, keeping up with ever-changing eyeglass prescriptions is an economic burden they can ill afford.
Click on these links to find out more about what type of used eyewear they accept and drop off locations.
- The Lions Club International –Lions Club Eyeglass Recycling Centers
http://members.lionsclubs.org/EN/serve/sight/recycle-eyeglasses/index.php
In 1925, Helen Keller challenged Lions to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” And they accepted. Today, sight programs remains one of their defining causes.
- OneSight-sponsored by Lenscrafters for over 25 years. They have provided quality vision care to more than 8.7 million people in 41 countries.
http://onesight.org/faqs/
If you are interested in volunteering your time to help those in other countries with vision care, I highly recommend you check out the VOSH website. http://vosh.org
Won’t you join me this summer in clearing out some drawers and making a donation of any unused eyewear you may not be using anymore. And if you don’t have any to donate, would you consider making a donation to one of these wonderful organizations. Let’s help give others the gift of sight and opportunity. Those “others” could be homeless in your area or across the globe, does it matter?
Peace and with Gratitude,
If you “Like” this post, I’d be thrilled if you’d share it.
JUL