Second Chance for Usefulness

Each year, nearly 25,000 pairs of used eyeglasses are processed for use during visits to rural communities in Latin America and in the Caribbean.  Lions Clubs across Michgian provide assistance in this ongoing recycling effort as well as helping people in our community who need new glasses.

Recycling is about taking a re-useable object and giving it a second chance at usefulness and it helps promote environmental responsibility.  Donatng your eyeglasses and heariing aids is a cost-free contribution with enormous emotional and economic benefits. In cases where eyesight is very poor, a pair of glasses can mean recipients are suddenly more employable, or family members will be able to see what their loved ones and their surroundings truly look like for the first time in their lives. Suddenly having clear vision is an experience of such magnitude that it's joys cannot be fully expressed except through the look on a patient's face when first looking out at their new world.

One example of a life-changing experience is that of a local Charlotte resident, Cindy Miller, Executive Director of the Eaton Area Senior Center. When her sixth-grade teacher discovered she had difficulty reading she referred her to a Lion's Club member and optometrist, Dr. Stuart Goodrich. The effect was to change Cindy from an average student to an early graduate and lifetime avid reader. Cindy and her mother showed their gratitude to the Lion's Club by being a life-long champion of this invaluable program and contributing whenever possible.

Eyeglasses and Hearing aids can be donated at numerous sites throughout the Charlotte community:

• Charlotte City Hall (Lobby)     
• Charlotte Community Library
• Charlotte Area Recycling Center
• Eaton Area Senior Center
• Sparrow Medical Supply
• Courthouse Square Museum
• Charlotte Post Office
• Eye Care Associates of Charlotte
• RX Optical--Charlotte
• Walmart Vision Center--Charlotte
• "As is" Goodwill store
• Eaton Community Palliative Care Thrift Shop
• Alive lobby (near public lockers/coat hangers)
• 1st Congregational United Church of Christ of Charlotte-Annex lobby
• Lawrence Ave United Methodist Church"

The SHYFT Group participated in the 2022, 2023 and 2024 "Recycle for Sight" Challenge with employees.  (Right to left--Tony Groodman, General Mgr; Amanda Pahl, HR; Kristinia Norton, HR). In last years Challenge, The Charlotte Lions placed 3rd in the District and the total number of eyeglasses collected was 1,879 and 64 pr. of hearing aids (which was 79 more than last year).  March 1, 2024 will end the 2024 Challenge, but all the locations listed above collect year round.

Lion Scott MacDonald, Eyeglass Recycling Coordinator inspects donated eyeglasses.

If you are in need of assistance of eyeglasses or hearing aids, go to our Resource page for a link to the application.