The Fort Atkinson Lions Club has announced that with help from its partners, Festival Foods and Goodwill, it collected nearly 2,000 pairs of used eyeglasses between July of last year and June.
Eyewear collected by the club is used to address vision issues around the world and within Wisconsin, the club noted in a recent news release.
In total, between last July and this June, contributors within the Fort Atkinson area donated 3,716 pairs of used eyeglasses, the release stated, with Festival Foods collecting 963 pairs and Goodwill collecting 928.
According to the release, “the easily recognized used eyeglasses (collection) boxes are attractive reminders to customers at local establishments to bring their used eyewear and hearing aids for drop-off when shopping.”
Those looking to donate used eyewear will find the donation box in Festival Foods on the left side of the store’s exit doors.
The donation box at Goodwill is found within the building’s “donation drop-off area,” facing Madison Avenue.
The donation boxes are used to collect regular prescription eyeglasses, both prescription and nonprescription dark glasses, user-purchased reading or “cheater” eyeglasses, and eyeglass cases. The boxes also are used to collect used hearing aids and hearing aid batteries, the release stated.
Once collected, used eyeglasses are sorted, cleaned and evaluated for prescription strength through a Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center.
The donated aids next travel to foreign countries with eye doctors on mission trips. The doctors offer eye exams and a recycled pair of eyeglasses that closely match the prescription needs of youth and adults in their care. During the exams, eyeglasses are immediately fitted to the patients free of charge, the release noted.
Individuals in need of care in 49 countries have been aided through the program. Eyeglasses also may be used within Wisconsin, according to the release.
Last year, the release continued, the Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center received 485,093 pairs of used eyeglasses that were collected in Wisconsin.
“The used eyeglasses help students read better and adults perform their job duties more effectively. There are numerous stories of how donated eyeglasses have changed the lives of those receiving used eyeglasses. Education and employment are key components to combat poverty. With these re-used eyeglasses, the recipients can again see well enough to return to work or become more engaged in school studies,” the release read.
The 16 donation boxes used in Fort Atkinson were built in 2009. Lions Club members designed and constructed the donation boxes, each with its own personality. The box maintenance and used eyeglasses collection responsibilities are handled by Fort Atkinson Lions Club members who collect the donated used eyewear from the boxes monthly.
Along with Festival Foods and Goodwill, donation boxes in Fort Atkinson are located at Pick ‘n Save, Shopko Optical, SSM Dean Clinic, Hometown Pharmacy, Ace Hardware, St. Vincent DePaul, Municipal Building, Dwight Foster Library, American Legion Dugout, Fort Senior Center, Badger Bank, Fort Community Credit Union, Dunlop Memorial Home, and Nitardy Funeral Home.
Fort Atkinson Lions Club President Tom Freeman, from left, gathers with Festival Foods Human Resources representative Tom Hayd and Fort Atkinson Festival Foods Store Director Luc Showmaker. During the assembly, Freeman presented the Festival Foods representatives with a certificate recognizing the company’s role in collecting used eyewear.
Goodwill team members Owen Reeb, from left, Shyanne Waldow and Sebastian Jaramillo, along with Fort Atkinson Store Manager Sarah Sweeney receive a certificate from Fort Atkinson Lions Club President Tom Freeman. Goodwill was recognized by the club for its efforts in gathering recycled eyeglasses. The aids are distributed to those in need worldwide and in Wisconsin though efforts made by the Lions club. Contributed photos.
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