Contact:
Lions Clubs International
Brett Rush, Public Relations
630-571-5466, ext. 366

For Immediate Release

ILLINOIS LIONS LAUNCH WORLD’S LARGEST EYEGLASSES COLLECTION

OAK BROOK, IL (USA) June 7, 2007—Illinois Lions and the Chicago Fire Department are joining forces to launch the world’s largest collection of used eyeglasses to help those in need improve their vision.

Chicagoans are being called upon to share the gift of sight by dropping off 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.

“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 Eyeglasses 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.

“It costs just a few cents for us to recycle a pair of glasses, but for some people in India, Mexico and Kenya those glasses are priceless,” says Jimmy Ross, international president of Lions Clubs International. “Glasses enable them to work, read and do household chores—things some of us take for granted.”

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 on Lions Clubs International, visit www.lionsclubs.org.

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