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News

Drive helps needy see clearly

Program to collect used eyeglasses to promote charity, recycling

by Deanna Mendoza
The Daily Cougar

UH students could help the underprivileged and visually impaired with one donation to the College of Optometry Eyeglass Recycling Drive, which is being held through Dec. 15. 

The drive began Nov. 15 -- America Recycles Day -- as part of an effort to encourage awareness and promotes the economic, environmental and social benefits of recycling and buying recycled products.

"We are taking any prescription glasses or sunglasses that are reusable and in good condition," Student American Public Health Association liaison Joshua Pratt said.

"Glasses with bent frames or missing nose pads may be fixed, but those that are broken should not be donated," he said.

Once donated, the glasses are sent to the AT&T Pioneers, a volunteer group consisting of active and retired SBC/AT&T employees, where they are cleaned and refurbished, Pratt said. 

The glasses are then given to The Lion's Club, an organization who's efforts to help the visually impaired began in 1925 with a challenge from blind and deaf activist Helen Keller to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness." 

The Lion's Club will distribute the donations to needy citizens in Mexico, Nicaragua and other Latin American countries.

"I think there are a lot of simple things we can do to limit our harmful impact on the environment, and recycling is one of those easy ways that makes sense," Pratt said.

Although the College of Optometry has never participated in activities to mark the celebration of America Recycles Day or had an eyeglass recycling program, individuals in the college have been recycling glasses on their own for quite some time, Pratt said. 

"We hope to continue the recycling drive after Dec. 15 and establish a program if we get a positive response," Pratt said. 

With less than 20 donations to date the College of Optometry needs students to step up and donate their old eyeglasses.

For students who have a pair of glasses to donate, donations can be dropped off at the Family Practice reception desk from 9 a.m to 6 p.m in the University Eye Clinic located at 505 J. Davis Armistead Building. 

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