Greenbrae Lions kicks off two-week eyeglasses collection today

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Jan 17, 2010 | 215 views |

This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it - Lions Club member Suraj Zutshi collects used eye glasses at The Travel Center in Reno. Donated glasses are cleaned for distribution in foreign countries- used glasses cannot legally be distributed in the United States.

The Sparks Greenbrae Lions want to give the world the gift of sight through a recycling project that begins today.

For two weeks, the Lions will collect unwanted prescription glasses and sunglasses at various locations in Sparks and Reno.

“In most developing countries, an eye exam can cost as much for one month’s wages and a single eye doctor may serve a community of hundreds of thousands of people,” Lions president Suraj Zutshi said.

The club collects glasses year-round, averaging about 500 to 600 pairs. The two-week effort that will last through Jan. 31 may yield about 1,500, Zutshi said.

He added that his club members also find glasses in other places, some more creative than others.

“We work with pharmacies and the airports,” he said. “You wouldn’t believe the number of people who leave forget the glasses by their seats.”

When the glasses have been collected, the donations will be driven to a recycling center in Vallejo, Calif., which serves northern Nevada and northern California.

Anyone who wants to donate their used or unwanted glasses may do so at the following locations:

• Sparks Senior Center, 97 Richards Way, Sparks

• Destination Spa and Salon, 790 E. Lincoln Way, Sparks

• Pritchett Eye Care Associates, 5961 Los Altos Pkwy., Sparks

• The Travel Center Inc., 71 Keystone Ave., Reno

• Fitness Millennium, 1141 California Ave., Reno

For more information, contact Zutshi at 323-0110 or 741-6892.