Have you ever considered that your old pair of glasses could make a big difference in someone's life?
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Bowral Lions volunteers have been sorting and and packing hundreds of pairs of donated prescription glasses for refurbishment prior to distribution throughout Africa, Asia, India, Middle East, the Pacific and to Indigenous communities in Australia.
This has been part of the Lions Recycle for Sight program which the Bowral Lions have been involved with for the past 20 years.
The program collects around 700,000 pairs of glasses annually from donations in Australia which are then graded, refurbished and distributed.
Ninety five per cent of these are refurbished and the rest recycled.
Bowral Lions member Anne Robson said of the glasses collected from the Southern Highlands this year, 1000 pairs of refurbished glasses were delivered to recipients.
She said internationally, seven million pairs of refurbished glasses had been delivered to recipients since the program began 26 years ago.
"The old glasses you have in your bedside table or junk drawer can change a person's life dramatically and keeps a valuable resource out of landfill," Ms Robson said.
Donations are boxed and sent to Queensland where Lions have a facility and the lens prescriptions are read by a Lensometer.
After refurbishment the glasses are then distributed by Lions International.
The program is part of the Lions International World Wide Eyeglass Recycle Organisation.
Members of the public can leave their donation at participating optometrists - Specsavers, OPSM, Eyecare Plus and Clayton's Pharmacy.
When collecting their new glasses, they can ask for their old ones to be donated.
Bowral Lions return about 97 per cent of funds raised to the local community and its community involvement extends to drought and disaster relief, farm aid, education, community infrastructure and more.
Bowral Lions welcome new members with a diverse range of skills, interests and experience or just the willingness to lend a hand.
A few hours each month can help to bring positive change to the community and is a great social interaction.
After having to cancel the proposed 2019 Car Show due to COVID, Bowral Lions are on track to run this event in March 2021 at the Bong Bong Racecourse.
Enthusiasts and car clubs from the Southern Highlands and surrounding areas will show their cars and compete for trophies and prizes.
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