HEADLINE: Appreciating good vision — Local teenager donates hundreds of glasses for people in need

HEADLINE: Appreciating good vision — Local teenager donates hundreds of glasses for people in need

Morgan Switsky learned at a young age not to take anything for granted.

At just 11 years old she was diagnosed with an eye condition known as recurrent corneal erosion syndrome, a painful eye disorder caused by an abrasion on the surface of the eye. The associated discomfort and visual problems can often be debilitating.

Morgan’s condition required surgery. Within a year and a half she was back to living a normal life, but not a day went by that she didn’t think about the importance of her renewed sight.

So when it came time to select a social action project in preparation for her bat mitzvah, Morgan never hesitated. She wanted to do something related to helping other people with their vision.

She decided to collect eye glasses and donate them to individuals in need. Her surgeon knew just the place that could help and put her in touch with Eversight New Jersey, a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring sight and preventing blindness.

With the help of Morgan’s friends, family and congregation, she presented two shopping bags full of glasses and cases to Bruce Moehler, the associate director for philanthropy at Eversight New Jersey, and Gerald Kirshenbaum of the Scotch Plains Lions Club.

Eversight works with Lions Clubs across New Jersey to promote their Recycle for Sight program, which collects and distributes donated eye glasses to people in need.

“We love partnering with Eversight because of the natural link our two organizations share,” Kirshenbaum said. “It was very inspiring to hear Morgan’s story and how she thought of helping other people with something none of us should take for granted.”

Morgan, the Lions and Eversight donated the glasses and cases to New Eyes for the Needy, an organization distributes glasses worldwide for children and adults.

“This was a unique opportunity to work with a young person who wanted to impact a lot of folks,” Moehler said. “We’re very thankful Eversight New Jersey, the Lions and New Eyes for the Needy had the opportunity to play a part in helping Morgan fulfill her community service project.”