Many people throughout the world are unable to see clearly because they cannot afford prescription eyeglasses. The inability to see well can severely limit their ability to work and live a normal life. At the same time, others who can afford to buy new lenses frequently throw their old sunglasses and eyeglasses into the trash when their prescription changes or they purchase a new pair. If you are getting ready to replace your current glasses, why not donate them to an organization like the Lions Club or New Eyes for the Needy? They will recycle them and give them to a person in need.
Instructions
Things You’ll Need:
Eyeglasses
Bubble wrap
Padded envelope
Tape
Small box
Postage
1 Locate an optometrist, library or community center in your area that has a collection box for the Lions Club’s Recycle for Sight program. Sponsor a collection drive at your local school, church, business or over the Internet and collect used sunglasses and prescription eyeglasses in sizes for both adults and children. Gather the lenses together and deposit them into the Lions Club collection box where they will be packaged and sent to a regional Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center to be repaired, recycled and distributed to people nationally and internationally who need them.
2 Donating your glasses to the Lion’s Club through the mail is a relatively easy process. Place your glasses in a padded envelope or bind them securely in bubble wrap and put them in a small box. Address the package to:
Lions Club International Headquarters
Attention: Receiving Department
300 W. 22nd Street
Oak Brook, IL 60523
3 Donate your eyeglasses to New Eyes for the Needy by either taking them to the organization’s home office in New Jersey or packaging them in a padded envelope or bubble wrapped in a small cardboard box and mailing them to:
New Eyes fr the Needy
549 Milburn Avenue
P.O. Box 332
Short Hills, NJ 07078
Include your return address so the organization can send you a receipt for your donation.
Tips & Warnings
Save your receipts. Both your donation and the shipping and handling costs associated with donating your glasses are tax deductible.
Call the Lions Club Recycling Center or New Eyes for the Needy before you mail a large quantity of eyeglasses to be sure they are accepting new shipments. If the center is not able to accommodate your donation, they will refer you to an alternate site..