The Fort Atkinson Lions Club has announced that it is seeking used corrective eyewear and hearing aids as part of its mission “to address vision issues around the world and within Wisconsin,” according to a recent news release.
“The club hopes that community members reflect on helping others and bring their outdated prescription eyeglasses to recycling boxes where they can benefit others,” the release stated.
The release noted that 16 donation boxes used in Fort Atkinson to collect eyewear and hearing aid donations were originally built in 2009.
Within its news release, the club asked patrons within the community to look for the donation boxes found at participating retail outlets where they can make eyewear and hearing aid donations.
“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 eyeglasses from the boxes monthly,” the release stated.
Locations in Fort Atkinson where used eyeglasses and hearing aids can be donated include Goodwill, Festival Foods, Pick ‘n Save, Shopko Optical, SSM Dean Clinic, Hometown Pharmacy, Ace Hardware, St. Vincent DePaul, the Fort Atkinson Municipal Building, Dwight Foster Public Library, American Legion Dugout, Fort Senior Center, Badger Bank, Fort Community Credit Union, Dunlop Memorial Home, and Nitardy Funeral Home.
Additionally, the release stated: “The Fort Atkinson area donated 3,383 pair of used eyeglasses from July 2021 through June 2022. Goodwill collected 807 pair and Festival Foods 684 pair.”
Both companies were recently recognized by the club and presented with certificates for their contributions to the program.
The donation box at Goodwill is within the donation drop-off area of the building.
“Goodwill staff has been very helpful in separating used eyeglasses from other things being donated to Goodwill and placing the eyeglasses in the donation box,” the release read.
The donation box at Festival Foods is located on the left side of the store’s exit, the release contined.
Donations that are appropriate for drop-off within the boxes include regular prescription eyeglasses, both prescription and nonprescription dark glasses, user purchased reading (cheater) eyeglasses, and eyeglasses cases. Used hearing aids and hearing aid batteries also are being collected and can be dropped off in the boxes, the release stated.
Once collected, used eyeglasses is sorted, cleaned and evaluated for prescription strength through a Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center.
Eyewear next travels with eye doctors on mission trips where youth and adults in foreign countries — and just recently within Wisconsin — receive an eye exam and a recycled pair of eyeglasses that match their prescription needs. Eyeglasses are immediately fitted to them, at no charge. Individuals in need of assistance in 49 countries have been aided through this Lions program, according to the release.
“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 reused eyeglasses, the recipients can again see well enough to return to work or become more engaged in school studies,” the release stated.
For more information about the Fort Atkinson Lions Club, visit: www.eclubhouse.org/sites/fortatkinson, or call the club’s membership chair, Kevin Becker: 920-650-8005.
About Lions Clubs International
According to the release, Lions Clubs International is the largest service club organization in the world. Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired, championed youth initiatives, and strengthened communities through hands-on service and humanitarian projects. The organization’s motto is: “We Serve.” To learn more about Lions Clubs International, visit: www.lionsclubs.org.
Fort Atkinson Lions Club President Mason Becker, from left, presents a certificate in recognition of the store’s “significant contributions to eyeglass recycling,” according to a recent news release, to Goodwill’s Assistant Store Manager Cheryl Johnson, Store Associate Nolan Kopydlowski and donation attendants Josh Gallman and Jessica Cunningham. The store’s drop-off box is also pictured.
Fort Atkinson Lions Club President Mason Becker, at right, presents a certificate in recognition of Festival Food’s “significant contributions to eyeglass recycling,” according to a recent news release, which additionally noted that the company collects annually about 20% of all eyeglasses recycled by the Fort Atkinson Lions Club. Store Director Luc Shoemakerm, at left, and Tom Hayd receive the certificate. The store’s collection box also is pictured.
Contributed photos.
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