Donate Your Old Eyeglasses Don't Dump It
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I got my new eyeglasses today and I wanted to get rid of my old eyeglasses. Instead of throwing away my eyeglasses in the trash, I wanted to donate it.
I searched and found a good place for donating old eyeglasses to the poor and needy. But before that we should know why do we need to donate eyeglasses?
In developing nations there are millions of adults as well as children lack access to basic eye care facilities and lack enough funds to buy the correct eyeglasses. If one doesn't fix their eyes properly and don't wear glasses their eyesight becomes even worse than before.
For children, it will affect their education, for adults, it will affect their livelihood. So it is better to donate old eyeglasses to them instead of just throwing it in trash.
I donated mine today via Lions Club's Eyeglasses Recycling. They have recycling centers worldwide, in the U.S. they have the following recycling centers (PDF document).
Check to see whether it is near your area and you can donate your old eyeglasses.
What does Lions Club do with your old eyeglasses?
They conduct an annual event called "Lions Recycle For Sight", in which they collect eyeglasses for donation to Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers seen above. Once they collect the glasses they are cleaned and classified by prescription. They are then distributed to the needy by the trained professionals from Lions Club.
Please see they are not affiliated to any particular religious organization or any particular country, they help everyone in need.
You can donate both prescription as well as non-prescription glasses.
Besides the recycling centers, they also have Drop-Off locations, you can find the list of locationshere. If there is none in your area, you can mail the eyeglasses to the following address:
LIONS CLUBS INTERNATIONAL
ATTENTION: RECEIVING DEPARTMENT
300 W 22ND STOAK BROOK IL 60523-8815
If you need more information or if you want to organize eyeglasses collection event in your school or university you can contact Health and Children's Services Department, Lions Clubs International Headquarters, via email at: eyeglasses@lionsclubs.org.
To find out more about Lions Clubs International Eyeglass Recycling Program, click here.
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Comments
Good idea. If the eyeglasses are still in perfect form. What if the donated eyeglasses didn't have the glasses anymore? :D
Useful information- I have a couple of pairs lying around wondering what to do with them. I will see if there is a dropoff center near me.
Thanks Quicksand, maybe they must be a Beatles fan :)
BeatsMe, you can donate when it is old or you no longer need it.
Angela, thanks, I just mailed it to the above address, it is not in great shape, but they are expensive, hopefully it will fit someone.
Thanks for writing the hub. Some one has a use for them. I do not see why you do not recommend giving to church organizations as well. Our condo collects old eye glasses and donates them. I have contributed to them for years. They can be recycled. I am glad some organization can dispose of them.
Einron, sorry, you can donate to any organization you like but some don't want to donate attached to a particular religion or ideas, that is why I posted that statement. If the organization is one religion other people won't like it. Church is a great idea, I donate lot of stuff for our local church. Thanks.
quicksand says:
10 months ago
O-O That's what John Lennon used.