How to Collect Usable Glasses

 There are several public relations resources available to help promote your club's eyeglass recycling efforts:

• Sample Letter to the Editor
• Sample News Release
• Sample PSA
• Public Relations Department PSAs

Sample Letter to the Editor

(Instructions: type double-spaced on club letterhead and fill in appropriate club information)

(FILL IN DATE)

The (INSERT YOUR CLUB NAME HERE) Lions Club would like to thank the community for supporting our Lions Recycle for Sight used eyeglasses collection program.  Throughout the month of May, we collected more than 3,000 pairs of unwanted eyeglasses and sunglasses for those in need in developing countries.

The donated specs have been sent to our regional eyeglass recycling center where they will be cleaned, sorted by prescription and prepared for distribution by Lions and other groups.

By taking the time to give us your glasses, you have helped to improve the life of someone in need.  In most developing nations, eye care is either unaffordable or inaccessible.  And for many, poor eyesight that is left uncorrected can lead to unemployment for adults and a child's inability to attend school.

The (INSERT YOUR CLUB NAME HERE) would also like to express our appreciation to the (INSERT THE NAMES OF THE PLACES THAT YOU HAVE COLLECTION BOXES AT HERE) for contributing to the project's success by serving as convenient drop-off centers.

People who did not get the chance to donate their glasses but would still like to, or those interested in learning more about other (INSERT YOUR CLUB NAME HERE) Lions Club activities, can call (INSERT NAME OF YOUR CLUB PRESIDENT OR OTHER CLUB MEMBER TO CONTACT) at (555) 555-5555.  Thanks again for sharing our vision of helping others to see.

Sincerely,

(INSERT YOUR CLUB PRESIDENT NAME HERE)

(INSERT YOUR CLUB NAME HERE)

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Sample News Release

(Instructions: type double-spaced on club letterhead and fill in the appropriate club information)

Contact:

(INSERT YOUR CLUB PRESIDENT OR CONTACT PERSON HERE)

(555) 555-5555

For Immediate Release

(INSERT YOUR TOWN) LIONS RECYCLE FOR SIGHT

(INSERT YOUR TOWN HERE), April 15-As Spring cleaning season gets underway, the (INSERT YOUR CLUB NAME HERE) Lions Club is asking people to look through drawers and closets for old, unwanted eyeglasses and donate them to the Lions Recycle for Sight program.

During the month of May, the (INSERT YOUR CLUB NAME HERE) Lions Club will be collecting used prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses as part of a unique recycling program throughout the United States and Canada.  The glasses will be distributed to those in need in developing countries where eye care is often unaffordable and inaccessible.

"We need everyone to donate their old glasses," said (INSERT YOUR CLUB PRESIDENT NAME HERE,) (INSERT YOUR CLUB NAME HERE) Lions Club president.  "In most developing countries, an eye exam can cost as much as one month's wages, and a single eye doctor may serve a community of hundreds of thousands of people."

The glasses will be shipped to one of ten Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers where they will be cleaned, categorized by prescription and prepared for distribution by Lions and other groups.  According to the World Health Organization, the eyesight of approximately one-fourth of the world's population can be improved through the use of a corrective lens.

To donate used eyeglasses, place them in specially marked Lions Recycle for Sight collection bin(s) located in (INSERT NAMES OF PLACES WHERE YOUR CLUB HAS COLLECTION BOXES.)

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Sample PSA

(Instructions: type double spaced on club letterhead and fill in appropriate club information.)

Radio Public Service Announcement
30 Seconds

NOW THAT SPRING CLEANING SEASON IS HERE, HAVE YOU DECIDED WHAT TO DO WITH THE OLD PRESCRIPTION EYEGLASSES AND SUNGLASSES THAT YOU HAVE STASHED IN YOUR DRAWER?  IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO WEAR THEM, YOU COULD GIVE THE GLASSES TO THE (INSERT YOUR CLUB NAME HERE) LIONS CLUB FOR THEIR LIONS RECYCLE FOR SIGHT PROGRAM.  THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF MAY, THE (INSERT YOUR CLUB NAME HERE) LIONS CLUB IS COLLECTING UNWANTED EYE WEAR FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THOSE IN NEED IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, WHERE THE PEOPLE OFTEN CANNOT AFFORD THE EYE CARE THEY NEED, AND CLEAR VISION IS MERELY A DREAM.  YOUR OLD EYEGLASSES CAN HELP TURN SOMEONE'S DREAM INTO A REALITY.  TO DONATE YOUR GLASSES, SIMPLY DROP THEM OFF AT COLLECTION LOCATIONS INCLUDING (INSERT YOUR LOCAL COLLECTION AREAS HERE), OR CONTACT THE (INSERT YOUR CLUB NAME HERE) LIONS CLUB AT (555) 555-5555.

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Public Relations Department PSAs

The Public Relations Department also offers Lions Recycle For Sight public service announcements (PSAs). There are two television spots and several radio PSAs available free of charge (English only). To order, contact the Public Relations Department at (630) 571-5466, ext. 363 or by e-mail at rfs@lionsclubs.org.