In 1925, Helen Keller challenged the Lions to become “Knights of the Blind” in the crusade against darkness. The Juneau Lions have taken this crusade to heart in their eyeglass recycling and vision screening efforts.
As fall gets under way, the Juneau Lions Club and the Juneau Mendenhall Flying Lions Club, which make up the Capital City Joint Sight Committee, are asking people to look through dresser drawers desks, and closets for used eyeglasses and donate them to the Lions Recycle for Sight program.
On Saturday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Nugget Mall, the Capital City Joint Sight Committee will be collecting used eyeglasses (prescription, non-prescription, sunglasses, reading glasses and cases) as part of a unique recycling program. The collected glasses will be shipped to the Aurora Borealis Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center in North Pole where they will be cleaned and prepared for distribution in Alaska and developing countries where eye care is often unaffordable and inaccessible.
“We need everyone to donate their used eyeglasses,” said Michael Norton, Chair of the Committee. “This helps people less fortunate to be able to see, read and live a normal life.”
To donate used glasses, come to the Nugget Mall on Oct. 15, or place them in the specially marked Lions Recycle For Sight collection boxes located at Specs in the City, Glacier Optical, SEARHC, Alaska Vision Center, Lifetime Eyecare and Dr. Messerschmidt’s Office. These are permanent collection sites.
Also as part of the Lions’ service to the community and commitment to promote eye care and vision, the club will provide financial assistance for eye exams and eyeglasses to those in need. It isn’t automatic and they do have to be disqualified for aid through several programs first, and then qualify through the Lions’ criteria before being approved for financial aid.
“We are their last stop” Norton said.
For more information or to get involved with the Lions, contact Michael Norton at 957-1697 or e-clubhouse.org/sites/juneaumf/index.php.
