The Mendenhall Flying Lions Club and the Juneau Lions Club will make up the Capital City Joint Sight Committee, which will collect old eyeglasses from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Nugget Mall on Saturday, Oct. 10.
The Capital City Joint Sight Committee will be collecting used eyeglasses (prescription and non-prescription, sunglasses, reading glasses and cases) as part of a unique recycling program. The Lions said 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, in a press release. “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. 10, 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, the Lions provide financial assistance for eye exams and eyeglasses to those in need. Interested persons must be disqualified through several other assistance programs first, and then qualify through the Lions’ criteria before being approved for financial aid.
For more information, call Michael Norton at (907) 957-1697.
