Lions Clubs, Delta Gamma sorority, and Vista Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired partner to recycle 118,000 used prescription eyeglasses

San Jose, CA (PRWEB) September 25, 2021 – More than 1000 local members of Lions Clubs International today are hosting an eyeglass recycling service event in partnership with the Gamma Eta-San Jose State chapter of Delta Gamma. The all-volunteer service project is being held at Vista Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired, San Jose, whose staff and clients are also participating. As part of the labor-intensive effort, the eyeglasses are sorted, cleaned, re-sorted by lensometer reading, and then packaged for shipment.

Over 118,000 used prescription eyeglasses totaling 20,000 pounds recently were provided to Lions in Sight for recycling in this current batch by an anonymous corporate donor. Similar size batches are forthcoming every few months. Lions in Sight is a California and Nevada non-profit Lions foundation that supports international medical missions conducted by Lions in service to the sight impaired needy.

“We Lions are proud to lead this hands-on community partnership in service toward meeting the needs of the blind and visually impaired,” said Dr. Bill Iannaccone, COO, Lions in Sight, and Past International Director, Lions Clubs International. “This recycling project is vital to our mission to provide eye care and eyeglasses to those in need around the world.”

“Our fraternal service project is “Service for Sight,” said collegiate chapter officer Lauren Barnes, vice president: Foundation. “The 70-member Gamma Eta-San Jose State chapter, which is part of the 250,000-member international Delta Gamma Fraternity, embraces the opportunity and is eager to work hand-in-hand in this wonderful humanitarian service effort.”

“Vista Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired is honored that our San Jose facility is the epicenter for this amazing service project,” said Karae Lisle, CEO. “Vista Center, a 501©c nonprofit, annually provides needed support services to thousands of people living with vision loss in California and virtually. We have longstanding ties with the Lions, and treasure this committed partnership with the Lions. This eyeglass recycling effort with the Lions and Delta Gammas demonstrates how together as a community of service volunteers we can serve more people who desperately need vision support worldwide.”

Key Links:

• Lions in Sigh.: http://www.lionsinsight.net
• Delta Gamma Foundation: https://www.deltagamma.org/foundation
• Vista Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired: https://www.vistacenter.org

About Lions in Sight:

Lions In Sight was founded in 1987 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) to work through local Lions Club members in California and Nevada to collect used eyeglasses for recycling and distribution internationally. The collected glasses are sorted, cleaned, processed, and packaged for delivery to clinics in developing nations. Volunteer doctors and Lions Club members travel to the clinics with the eyeglasses and exam equipment. Each year thousands of needy visually impaired children and adults receive the gift of improved vision through the volunteer efforts of Lions In Sight.

Lions In Sight was founded in 1987 as a non-profit 501(c)(3) to work through local Lions Club members in California and Nevada to collect used eyeglasses for recycling and distribution internationally. The collected glasses are sorted, cleaned, processed, and packaged for delivery to clinics in developing nations. Volunteer doctors and Lions Club members travel to the clinics with the eyeglasses and exam equipment. Each year thousands of needy visually impaired children and adults receive the gift of improved vision through the volunteer efforts of Lions In Sight.

About Vista Center for the Blind & Visually Impaired:
For over 80 years, Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired has empowered individuals who are blind or visually impaired to embrace life to the fullest through evaluation, counseling, education and training. Headquartered in Palo Alto, Vista Center is able to offer life-changing services and programs due to the generous support of the community – including financial contributions from grantors, foundations, and individuals; in-kind donations; and volunteerism.
More information about Vista Center’s services and programs can be found at www.vistacenter.org