West Haven Lions Club Collects Nearly 300 Pairs Of Used Prescription Eyeglasses

Written by Jamene Farrell

WEST HAVEN, CT — The West Haven Chapter of Lions Club International recently collected nearly 300 pairs of used prescription eyeglasses through its ongoing "Recycle for Sight" program, helping to improve vision for individuals in need around the world.

For the past year, a collection box located at the west entrance of West Haven City Hall has served as a convenient drop-off point for residents wishing to donate their used eyeglasses.

The donations were gathered, counted and shipped to a Lions Club International recycling facility in New Jersey.

At the facility, volunteers will clean, sort and determine the prescriptions of the donated spectacles before distributing them to medical missions and humanitarian programs in underserved communities throughout the world.

“Something as simple as a pair of glasses can completely change someone's life,” Lions Club President Steven R. Mullins said. “For most of us, a new prescription is a routine visit to the ophthalmologist. In other parts of the world access to eye care may not be readily available. A child may be able to read in school for the first time, or an adult may be able to return to work simply because they can see clearly again.”

The Lions Club encourages residents to continue donating used prescription glasses.

“The collection box will remain at City Hall,” Lions Club Vice President Richard Deso said. “An additional donation collection box is located at Webster Bank, 584 Campbell Avenue.”

The Lions are not accepting broken glasses and ask that cases not be included with donations going forward.

Founded on the principle of "We Serve," Lions Club International has been a leader in vision related service projects for more than a century.

For more information, call Mullins at 203-824-4262.

West Haven Lions Club officers Vice President Richard Deso (left), President Steven R. Mullins (center) and Treasurer Linda Pilgrim (right) pose with nearly 300 pairs of donated used prescription glasses. The glasses, weighing almost 25 pounds, are being sent to a processing facility and then to developing countries. (Courtesy of Jamene Farrell)