CHICAGO, June 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Be part of the world's largest collection of used eyeglasses to help those in need see more clearly. Chicagoans are being called on to share the gift of sight by dropping off their used prescription and nonprescription glasses and sunglasses at any of the 97 Chicago Fire Houses through the end of summer (September 21). Children's eyeglasses are especially needed.
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"Thousands of eyeglasses are buried in dresser drawers, in desks and closets at homes and at work. It's time to dig out those glasses and put them to use," says Dan O'Reilly, a volunteer coordinator of the Lions World's Largest Eyeglass Collection program. "Old prescriptions or frames may seem like they are no longer useful. However, to someone in need, recycled glasses can mean the chance to work and support a family, the chance to read a book or the newspaper or the chance to see a child for the first time."
According to the World Health Organization, the eyesight of one-fourth of the world's population can be improved through the use of corrective lenses. That translates to 500 million people whose vision could easily be improved through recycled eyeglasses.
Who: Chicago Fire Department First Deputy Fire Commissioner John Brooks
and Dan O'Reilly, a local Lions club member
What: Kickoff of The World's Largest Eyeglass Recycling Collection
When: Launch event Thursday, June 7, 10:30 a.m.
Where: Chicago Fire Academy (Taylor & Jefferson) 558 West DeKoven Street,
Chicago
Why: Used eyeglasses that Lions recycle and distribute enable millions
of people in developing countries to see well for the first time.
Costs for an eye exam and new glasses are often prohibitive and
the scarcity of qualified eye doctors is another barrier.
Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with 1.3 million members in 45,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas around the world. Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world. For more information, please visit http://www.lionsclubs.org/.
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Lions Clubs International
CONTACT: Michelle Weber of Lions Clubs International, +1-312-371-8707
Web site: http://www.lionsclubs.org/
