HomeCommunityGive the gift of glasses to those in need

Give the gift of glasses to those in need

Specsavers glasses community
Specsavers Bundaberg is asking the community to donate old prescription glass as part of the Lions Recycle for Sight program.

Specsavers Bundaberg is encouraging the community to help reach a goal of collecting 200,000 pairs of glasses to support people in need this Christmas.

Bundaberg Specsavers retail partner Anna Crossley Price said the festive season was a fantastic time to think about donating glasses.

“We see a huge influx of people wanting to use their health insurance benefits to purchase a new pair of glasses,” she said.

“We’d love to see more people donating their old specs in store so they can benefit people in need.”

In partnership with Lions Recycle for Sight, Specsavers is now into its fourth year of the recycling program, which sees quality glasses and sunglasses being delivered to people in need overseas.

In 2018, Lions Recycle for Sight sent 334,860 pairs of refurbished spectacles to 20 destinations overseas.

The World Health Organisation has found that one billion people worldwide are living with vision impairment because they do not get the care they need for conditions like short and far sightedness, glaucoma, and cataracts.

Additional research shows that almost of one in five Aussies, the equivalent of 3.5 million Australians will be purchasing a new pair of optical or sunglasses this year – adding to the older or pre-loved glasses sitting at home which are perfect for donating.

While some discarded specs will collect dust, as many as one in four, or 4.5 million people, are simply just throwing them in the bin.

“We’ve loved being able to directly work with the community in helping them to recycle their older pairs of glasses,” Anna said.

“It’s such a great feeling – being able to tangibly see the impact that you’re making.”

All pre-loved glasses that are sent to Lions Recycle for Sight from Specsavers are quality tested, cleaned, categorised and boxed according to prescription.

The best of the glasses collected are provided to charity, while the rest of the glasses are recycled.

Over the past four years, Specsavers Australia have donated over 700,000 pairs in partnership with Lions Recycle for Sight.

To head in store to donate any of your own pre-loved glasses, visit Specsavers Bundaberg at Stockland Bundaberg, Shop 424/115 Takalvan St, Avoca, or visit https://www.specsavers.com.au/stores.

Related stories: Adopt a family this Christmas

LATEST NEWS

>