The Need for Glasses is Great!!
According to The World Health Organization, 153 million people have uncorrected refractive errors (near- sightedness, far-sightedness or astigmatism). Most of these vision impairments are quickly diagnosed and easy to treat with corrective lenses.
Still, millions of people in developing nations are pushed deeper into poverty simply because they don't have glasses. They can't learn, because reading is difficult. They can't work to the best of their ability, because they can't see clearly. For children, clear vision means a better education, healthier development and a better quality of life. For adults, clear vision means greater employment opportunity and economic strength. For seniors’ clear vision means less dependence on others.
North Carolina Lions collect over 170,000 pairs of eyeglasses each year to address the need for glasses, making eyeglasses recycling one of our most popular activities.
Recycling Program
Volunteers collect used eyeglasses and deliver them to North Carolina Lions Foundation at Camp Dogwood. Volunteers clean, sort by prescription strength and package the glasses. Most of the recycled glasses are distributed to people in need in developing countries where they will have the greatest impact. Eyeglass collection is just one of the many ways that Lions serve V.I.P. (Visually Impaired People). NOTE: We do not recycle or reuse eyeglass cases – just the eyeglasses themselves.
NORTH CAROLINA LIONS’ FOUNDATION Recycling Programs consist of the following categories:
Hearing Aids: Lions accept donations of old hearing aids. Any make or model, regardless of age, can be donated.
The donated hearing aids are sold for salvage value and the proceeds are used to support the deaf/ blind retreat held at Camp Dogwood each year.
Cell phones: Remove cover & battery. Only Button batteries (flat watch style all sizes). No cases or accessories.
Glasses: The collection of eyeglasses or recycling is an on‐going, year‐round program involving Lions throughout North Carolina. Reusable plastic frame glasses are sent to a Lions Recycling Center where they are cleaned, evaluated, classified, and sent abroad to medical missions and welfare agencies for redistribution. Metal frame glasses and scrap metal are sold to a refinery and the redeemed cash is used to help fund the needs of the visually impaired. No contacts, cases, or loose lenses.
Magnifiers and Low Vision Aids: In partnership with the NC Assistive Technology Program the Lions are promoting the donation of used magnification devices. These items will be loaned for as long as needed, free of charge, to any individual who could benefit from such devices due to low vision.
If you send glasses by USPS to NCLF, please mail them to 7062 Camp Dogwood Drive, Sherrills Ford, NC 28673. Receipts should be given to the Treasurer for reimbursement.
Drop off locations:
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Thomas Funeral Home – FV
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Walmart - FV
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Family Optical - FV
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Fuquay Ophthalmology Glaucoma - FV
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Johnson Optometric Associates – FV
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Walmart - Garner Route, 42
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My Eye Dr - Clayton Route, 70
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Sam's Club - Raleigh – Route 401N
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Saint Bernadette Church – FV
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Hearing Life – FV
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Cleveland Draft House - FV
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My Eye Dr - Angier
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Fuquay Varina Chamber of Commerce
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Clarity Vision - 5225 Sunset Lake Rd, Holly Springs, NC 27540
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