The Canyon Lake Lions club is hosting an Eyeglass Drive from October 11 through October 18, collecting new and used prescription glasses, Readers, and regular sunglasses. Community members are encouraged to check their homes for unwanted glasses and donate them during the weeklong drive.
Collection boxes will be placed outside five drop-off locations, making it easy to donate anytime throughout the week. The drop-off boxes are located at the Canyon Lake Fire Station, Canyon Lake Senior Center, and in the Towne Center at Canyon Lake Optometry, Canyon Lake Library, and Pack, Wrap and Post.
Every pair collected will be delivered to California Lions Friends in Sight, a program providing free eye exams and free recycled glasses to individuals in need across Southern California and Northern Mexico.
Refractive errors can be easily corrected with eyeglasses, yet millions living in low and middle-income countries lack access to basic eye care services. Lions have recognized the urgent need for corrective lenses and collect usable glasses to support the Lions Recycle For Sight Program.
The glasses are shipped to the nearest Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center where trained volunteers sort, clean, and determine the prescription strengths of the glasses. The glasses are then packaged and stored until they are required for eyeglass dispensing missions.
At the mission site, eye care professionals and trained volunteers perform vision screenings and dispense the appropriate recycled glasses, free of charge, to children and adults in need. Glasses that are not suitable for reuse are recycled for scrap, with the earnings benefitting local Lions projects.
