“The test of a civilization is in the way it cares for its defenseless members.” – Pearl S. Buck
You might be wondering if your old prescription glasses would do better than lining one of your dresser drawers. The good news is that they can. The Lions Club will recycle your old glasses and give them to someone in need who can wear them, a much better alternative to taking up space in a drawer. The New Mexico Lions Club collects used prescription glasses, cleans them, and distributes them to those in need in New Mexico and elsewhere.
Lions Club International is the world’s largest service organization, with clubs serving local communities. A primary mission is to distribute used prescription glasses to those with limited resources. In 1925, Hellen Keller challenged the Lions to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” To this day, vision programs remain an integral part of the club’s causes. Its Operation KidSight program tests children ages 3 to 5 for vision disorders. Children who have their vision treated before the age of 6 have a much better chance of correction.
Look for donation boxes of Lions Club prescription glasses at your local Albuquerque Public Library branch.
There are other places to take your prescription glasses so that they can make a difference for a poor person who cannot afford to buy theirs. Prescription glasses may seem expensive to us, but to someone in a poor country, they can be an unaffordable luxury. You can make a difference in someone’s life by finding a place to drop it off in Albuquerque and the surrounding communities.
Optical centers often act as collection centers for old prescription glasses, where they are cleaned and prepared for distribution. Prescription glasses go to regional and world clinics. Take your used glasses to the following drop off locations:
Albuquerque
- Costco Optical Store, 9955 Coors NW
- Los Volcanes Senior Center, 6500 Los Volcanes NW
- Lovato Eye Care, 1448 Bridge SW
- Pearle Vision, 5504 Menaul NE
- Optical precision, 5115 Coors
- The Optical Store, 3411 Central NE
- Twohig, James, DDS, Aztec 7301 NE
- United Methodist Church, 4701 Montano NW
- Walmart, 8000 Academy Road
- Walmart, 10224 Coors Bypass NW
- Optical Warehouse, 2531 Jefferson NE, # 135
- Some of the Albuquerque libraries also have drop boxes where glasses can be taken. Call to find out if your local library has a donation box.
Bernalillo
- Walmart, 460 Highway 528
Corrales
- Corrales Library, 84 West La Entrada
- Aldea Mercantil, 3923 Corrales Road, Building A
Santa Fe
- Accent on vision, behind the Medical Arts building
- Acoma Optical, 1521 5th
- Old Town Optics, 1704 Llano
- Aztec Optical, 509 W. Cordova Road
- Funeraria Berardinelli, Calle Luis 1320
- Bueno Vista Eye Care, 9 Calle Medico
- Dr. Mark Rasmussen, 1460 S. St. Francis Drive
- El Castillo Retreat House, 250 E. Alameda
- Eye Associates Optical, 2947 Rodeo Park
- Eye care for you, DeVargas North
- First National Bank, Eldorado Branch
- Hold Faith Episcopal Church, 311 E. Palace Avenue
New Eyes for the Needy is a charity that will receive your donation of a good pair of used glasses and send them to an organization that distributes to those in need in developing countries. Their trained volunteers test and classify donated glasses into different categories, after which the glasses are distributed to charities around the world, such as small medical missions. The donated glasses have traveled to more than 87 countries around the world. Send your glasses to your organization; They provide shipping instructions.
The organization also helps those in need in the United States by purchasing new prescription glasses for those in financial need. If you don’t have a pair of glasses to donate but want to help someone in need, the organization accepts monetary donations online.
Glasses are expensive, and there are many people who could wear them. By donating them for reuse, you help someone in need and you also recycle. It is a win-win for everyone.
If you have questions about donating your used glasses, please contact your nearest New Mexico Lions Club online.
