Above / Find the Noon Lions Eyeglass Collection Box formerly on Water Street now located in a bright new spot along Washington Street near Benton Avenue, available to accept donations every season of the year. (PN File Photo)
The Naperville Noon Lions Club recently has relocated its eye glass collection box to the plaza outside of the Naperville Bank and Trust Company entrance at 5 South Washington Street in downtown Naperville. The eyeglass box in now available to drop off used eye glasses and hearing aids “24/7/365,” noted Lions Club publicist Bob Hull. Other drop off locations in Naperville are listed at the Lions website at napervillenoonlions.org.
The Naperville Bank and Trust Company has graciously partnered with the Lions to allow this collection location. It is the only location that is available for drop off at any time. Lion Steve Hertzberg, Board Member and Past President of the Lions, stated the Lions are honored that the Bank was willing to support our mission and eyeglass collection program.
“We will now be able to continue this program at a high level,” Hertzberg said.
Through out the year the Naperville Lions collect over 4,000 used eyeglasses annually and deliver them to the Lions of Illinois Foundation where they are combined with other eyeglasses collected by other Lions Clubs from around the state. Each year over 1 million used eyeglasses are collected annually for distribution.
Volunteers at the Lions of Illinois Foundation sort the recycled glasses and forward them to a Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center (LERC) in Indiana. Volunteers in Indiana clean, sort by prescription strength and package the glasses. Recycled glasses are then distributed to children and adults in third world countries after Doctors of Optometry and Vision Technicians give screenings to judge what type of eyeglasses are needed.
For more information about the Lions eyeglass collection program, visit napervillenoonlions.org or call (630) 364-3922.
Story and photo submitted by Lion Bob Hull for the Naperville Noon Lions.
Editor’s Note: Meanwhile, remember proceeds from the Noon Lions Turkey Trot 5K will benefit programs that support their mission. Registration for the Thanksgiving Day fundraiser are now in progress.
