How to send eye glasses to Iraq

Eye glasses can have a new life...in Iraq

 The story about folks in Fort Collins and neighboring communities collecting used glasses for distribution in Iraq is a reminder that people continue to reach out to others.

According to 9News, Betty Brown decided last spring to gather prescription eyeglasses and send them to Iraq where her son is a doctor for a battalion of Marines stationed in Rawah in western Iraq.

Local Lions and Rotary clubs joined in the effort, which is ongoing. As Brown told 9News, "I was thrilled," said Brown. "I know so many people who feel so frustrated. They don't know what they can do. Well, this is something we can do."

And, as the Lions Club noted, “Each year, more than 10,000 pairs of used eyeglasses are collected in Fort Collins. After they are clean, sorted and packaged, groups of volunteers (including Lions, Church groups, optometrists and/or ophthalmologists) go to developing countries, usually in South or Central America, or Africa and distribute the recycled eyeglasses to those needing vision correction. Used eyeglasses are also provided to migrant, non-citizen workers and their family members in the United States.”

For those who want to contribute, here’s a list of places:
King Soopers, South College Avenue
Advanced Eyecare, Oak at College
First National Bank, 205 West Oak Street
Sears, Foothills Fashion Mall
Pearl Vision, Harmony Market Place
Anheuser Busch
Goodwill Industries, 320 Walnut
Doctor’s Vision Works, 2407 South College
Reager Funeral Home, 1530 Riverside
St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 300 Whedbee
City Drug, College at Mountain
Eyecare Associates, PC, 1304 South Shields
Shopko, South College Avenue
Bohlander Funeral Chapel, 121 West Olive
Poudre Valley Hospital, Near elevators – main entrance
Jackson Optical, 1035 Robertson