The students, staff, and faculty at Ross Medical Education Center in Brighton, Michigan believe that good eyesight is something that everyone deserves the chance to enjoy. That’s why this autumn they decided to participate in the Lions Recycle for Sight Program. Everyone at the campus was thrilled to be a part of improving the vision of those in need in their local area as well as across the country.
Many of those that wear glasses have old pairs hidden in nooks and crannies in their homes, cars, and desks. Did you know that those old eyeglasses can actually be put to a use other than just collecting dust in a drawer somewhere? As participants in the Lions Recycle for Sight Program, students, staff, and faculty spent a month collecting gently used eyeglasses at their campus and they realized how many they had just lying around!
After the campus spent time collecting the eyeglasses, they were able to donate all of them to their regional Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center. Once there, the eyeglasses are checked, cleaned, repaired if needed, and then sorted by prescription. After that they are all packaged and ready to ship out. Then the Lions Club volunteers distribute them to people in need in low and middle income communities where they will have the greatest impact.
According to their website, the Lions Club is the world’s largest service club organization with over 1.4 million members. Ross chose the Lion’s Club because of its dedication to local communities in serving, meeting humanitarian needs, encouraging peace, and promoting international understanding. Throughout their drive, Ross in Brighton was able to collect over 20 pairs of eyeglasses for those in need that cannot afford them. Office Assistant Diane Annis-Sanders shared some of her feelings about this community service project, “it felt so good to be able to help with someone’s vision.”