Recycle eyeglasses for the needy

While one looks to the creation of all sorts of wonderful new devices to help the handicapped, some people in the world lack prosthetics invented most of a millenium ago, for want of the means to pay for them: simple eyeglasses. Several organizations exist to remedy this problem, by exploiting how relatively cheap it is to measure and ship something as small, lightweight and expensive as eyeglasses.

Lions Clubs "collect used eyeglasses for donation to Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers that are located throughout the world. The used eyeglasses are cleaned, repaired and classified by prescription... The eyeglasses are then distributed to those in need by Lion volunteers and other organizations hosting optical missions in developing countries..."

LensCrafters, a for-profit eyeglass provider, lets you "drop off your old eyeglasses at any LensCrafters... location and help someone in a developing country have a chance for a brighter future." Locate a store in the USA or Canada by clicking here.

New Eyes for the Needy, Inc. does not have its own Web site, but is described by various Web pages, which also provide contact information:

Health Information Resource Database, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services writes in part: "New Eyes for the Needy was founded in 1932 to provide better vision for the poor throughout the world..."

CharityGuide.Org writes in part: "In response to requests from medical missions, hospitals and doctors, New Eyes for the Needy collects, recycles, and distributes eyeglasses for free to visually impaired people in over 25 countries..."

Pearl Vision, a for-profit eyeglass provider, "supports New Eyes for the Needy, Inc., a nonprofit, nonsectarian volunteer organization. Its main purpose is to help provide better vision for the poor throughout the world... Please donate your used eyeglasses, reading glasses, prescription or non-prescription sunglasses at any Pearle Vision location today... To contact a Pearle Vision location nearest you call 1-800-YES-EYES" or click here.

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