Lions collecting old eyeglasses to donate to developing countries

Fundraiser, dropoff location today at M&M

Hatters can give a second life to old and unused eyeglasses by dropping them off today at the Community View Lions Club’s fundraising event.

The barbecue fundraiser will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at M&M Food Market on 13th Avenue, with a regular burger costing $4 or $5 for a cheeseburger — and a dollar off for those who bring in a pair of eyeglasses.

No matter what shape the eyeglasses are in, they’ll be accepted, said Lions Club member Bob Booth, explaining that through the Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center (LERC) those that can be reused will be distributed to those in need in developing countries, while non-reusable glasses will be recycled with parts (such as gold) sold to help fund the program.

The eyeglass program is run completely by volunteers, he said, with eyeglasses collected from all over Canada ending up in Calgary.

Currently there are two million pairs of glasses catalogued, said Booth, but with a high demand their supply can diminish fast.

This is why Lions Clubs across the country are currently doing a collection push to replenish the numbers.

Volunteers will take 5,00010,000 pairs with them to a country, and give out around 3,000 to individuals. “Then leave the rest for the local Lions Club to distribute,” he said.

It’s a rewarding project, said Booth, who has travelled to Mexico to help give the glasses to people. There’s moments like an elderly woman putting on a pair and being able to see her grandchildren for the first time, he said.

“Stories like this tug your heart.”

LERC is just one of the many Lions Club projects underway — there’s also their support for guide dog training, and scholarships.

“We give everything back to the community that we bring in,” said Booth.