I See…

Being a girl with a drawer full of old glasses and having a family that all wears glasses [the one thing I remember distinctly about our family reunion is that EVERYONE in my family had four eyes. this is of course was before laser eye surgery, we have since lost a few to this modern marvel.], I wondered, what could I do to recycle all the ones I don’t need?

I found the answer, but let me build up to it…

According to Unite For Sight,

• Over 1 billion people in developing countries need eyeglasses but cannot afford them.
• Over 4 million pairs of eyeglasses are thrown away each year in North America.
• 25% of the global population needs eyeglasses.
• 50% of children in institutions for the blind in Africa would be able to read normal or large print if they had eyeglasses
• The price for glasses in Benin and other African countries can exceed three months’ average salary

If you go to their site, and complete a quick little form, Unite For Sight will send you an automatic reply with additional information about where to donate your glasses.

I also found needed information on where to drop off old glasses and some awesome ways to go even a step further on Charityguide.org.

Donate your old eyeglasses and sunglasses to help people with eyesight difficulties worldwide. (Sunglasses can be non-prescription. They are needed in countries near the equator to help protect people’s eyes from sun damage.) Collection facilities include Goodwill Industries stores, LensCrafters stores, and Lions Club drop boxes. Items also can be sent in padded envelopes or boxes to:

New Eyes for the Needy
549 Millburn Avenue
P.O. Box 332
Short Hills, NJ 07078

E-mail ten friends who wear glasses to see if they have old pairs that could be recycled for people with eyesight problems. Collect them for donation.

Check with lost and found departments in hotels, stores, police stations, and mortuaries for unclaimed glasses that could be donated.

Easy enough.

-Cara