Lafayette Lions Club - Eyeglasses Collection

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Eyeglasses Collection

The recycling of eyeglasses is an important part of the Lafayette Lions Club’s service. Eyeglasses are collected, taken to an Indiana Lions facility, cleaned, sorted by prescription, and then taken by fellow Lions to third world countries. There they are distributed, free of charge, to people in need. Learn more about this process by clicking here.

All types of eyeglasses and sunglasses, prescription and non-prescription, are acceptable. Exceptionally strong or weak prescriptions are needed. Reading glasses are very useful because many recipients are in need of visual correction to help them perform close-up tasks. Sunglasses are needed by people living near the equator, especially those with cataract, to shield their eyes from the sun's damaging rays.

Individuals may donate their used eyeglasses year-round to their local Lions club via collection boxes located at various community offices and businesses. Locally we appreciate the cooperation of several businesses to help us collect the eyeglasses. If you have eyeglasses you may take them to anyone of the following locations.

There are ten official Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers in the world (six in the U.S., one each in Spain, France, Republic of South Africa and Queensland, Australia). Lions volunteer their time and services to prepare the eyeglasses for distribution,cleaning and categorizing each pair by prescription. Optical missions sponsored by Lions clubs and other groups distribute donated eye eyeglasses to needy people. In addition, programs have been established to train prisoners to prepare donated eyeglasses. These individuals are provided an opportunity to learn skills for use when released and the satisfaction of knowing they are helping others.

National Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers