Le Pine Funerals in Camberwell and Kew East are once again helping the Lions International worldwide program, Recycle for Sight achieve a collection target of 500,000 pairs of glasses annually throughout Australia in 2012.
The branches are “drop-off” points for people to donate their pre-loved prescription glasses, which are donated to people living in the world’s poorest countries, including Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Sri Lanka, Zambia and Tanzania.
After being sorted by prescription and cleaned, the glasses are sent overseas where, with help from optical qualified men and women, they are distributed to children and adults in need. Spectacles with scratched lenses or broken frames are repaired or recycled, and some fitted with standard lenses.
Camberwell Branch Manager, Chris Flavelle-Smith invites people in the community with old pairs of glasses to support the program.
“Most people update their frames every couple of years to change up their look. But now, instead of storing the old pair away, you can donate them to a program that ensures they’re put to good use - helping someone achieve a better quality of life,” he said.
“We collected about 200 glasses at this branch last year, so that’s our target to beat in 2012.
“Donating your old glasses is such a small way to make a big difference in someone’s life. We’re pleased to facilitate the process.”
Mr Flavelle-Smith says the program fits well with the service Le Pine provides families.
“Sometimes people are unsure what they should do with glasses that belonged to a deceased loved one. Knowing that the program will pass their often great quality spectacles onto people who will be better off can cheer up some family members.
They say that mum or dad hated seeing things go to waste, so donating to the program is a positive way to honour their life.”
Lions Recycle for Sight Australia Chairman and CEO, Ken Leonard OAM said that funeral homes such as Le Pine donate a total of about 50,000 pairs of glasses annually. Airlines and bus companies also support the program with glasses being a common lost property item.
Glasses can be donated between 9am – 5pm daily at:
- Le Pine Funerals, 981 Burke Road, Camberwell; and
- Le Pine Funerals, 741 High Street, Kew East.
A collection box has also been placed at Balwyn Library.