Donate Old Glasses & Unused Contact Lenses
When I was growing up, donating our old glasses was as much a part of my life as eating popsicles in the summer. I thought everyone did this until I mentioned it to Martin and he looked at me like I was speaking Greek. So for those of you who might not know…
Donate your old glasses and unused contact lenses instead of tossing them or keeping them in the closet until kingdom come!
New Eyes for the Needy started collecting glasses way back in 1932 when a Red Cross nurse noticed that people coming for help couldn’t read all the forms. They didn’t have money to buy glasses. Since then, the organization has helped seven million people in 56 countries. Isn’t that incredible?
Sadly, it’s still a problem today, so good thing those of us access to 20/20 can help.
1. Give your old glasses and unused contact lenses to:
New Eyes for the Needy
549 Millburn Avenue
PO Box 332
Short Hills, NJ 07078
1/1/2010 Update: Please contact New Eyes for the Needy to see if they are currently accepting glasses and contact lenses before sending your donation, as I have been notified by a donor that his offer could not be used at the time.
1/1/2010 Update: Lions Club does NOT collect contact lenses. They happily accept prescription and non-prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses and hearing aids – either used or new.
2. Make a $60 donation to buy an American a pair of glasses.
Don’t have to deal with glasses? Well first, lucky you! Second, here’s your chance to buy your first set of glasses. More information here.
3. Donate other stuff to raise money for glasses
New Eyes for the Needy accepts:
So how easy is that? You keep stuff out of the landfill, help people, and get a tax deduction for your green efforts.
January 14th, 2009 at 11:41 am
The “I use to want to be an optometrist girl” says, “YEAH!!!”
January 14th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
We use to do this, too. It’s a great idea and so helpful. :0)
January 27th, 2009 at 7:41 am
That’s awesome Katie. I went to our local Best Buy yesterday and noticed that they have an enormous bin in the front of their store accepting old cell phones – they recycle them for women’s shelters, I think. Good deeds abound.
March 17th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
There is a great non-profit women’s human rights organization that accepts unopened contact lenses and old eyeglasses, and distributes them to underprivileged women and children all over the world.
Include any pertinent information, name, address, and phone number and they’ll send you a receipt for tax purposes. if you’re donating contacts, make sure their expiration date is more than six months from now
MADRE
Attn: Helping Hands Campaign
121 West 27th Street, #301
New York, NY 10001
212.627.0444 (tel)
212.675.3704 (fax)
helpinghands@madre.org
http://www.MADRE.org
April 28th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Awesome! My eyes are 20-20 thanks to surgery… I will send all my contacts to New Eyes for the Needy. I’m glad they’ll find a home.
June 29th, 2009 at 8:42 am
Here’s a link to an article explaining how to recycle unused and unopened contact lenses with MADRE.
http://www.ehow.com/how_5130543_donate-contact-lenses.html
November 6th, 2009 at 11:05 am
If you purchase most items online, Replace My Contacts has an eyeglass recycling program. Check the box when you’re ordering contacts that says “I want to donate a pair of old glasses.” Using the same box that delivers your contacts, RMC pays for shipping back to them & donates your old eyewear to the Lions Club & other various International Vision Care organizations. You’ll also get a $5 rebate on your order. Everyone wins.
http://www.replacemycontacts.com/idx/help/eyeglasses_contact_lens_rebate.asp
January 5th, 2010 at 7:51 pm
How do I get a recycle bin to collect used eye glasses at my business?
January 6th, 2010 at 6:08 am
Brenda, set up a little collection box somewhere in your office by using a repurposed box – like a shoe box or cracker box that’s clearly labeled. Then make sure everyone in the office knows about your project so they’ll be sure to participate or get clients excited about joining, too.
I think that’s an absolutely great idea!
Katie
February 20th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Lens Crafters and LIons club in my area said, “glasses only, no contacts!”
February 25th, 2010 at 1:41 am
Laura, my local organizations can’t use contacts either – they just don’t have the resources available to make it practical. I do hope you mail them to a much larger organization such as listed in this post. They have a much stronger distribution opportunity.
Katie
March 4th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Thank you so much for letting us know where to send our contacts! I knew I could donate glasses but had never seen a place for contacts as well. I just had LASIK last week and am now already seeing 20/15 after 20 years of glasses & contacts. I am glad to be able help someone else see as eye care is very expensive. Thank you again Katie!
May 29th, 2010 at 5:06 pm
Here’s an article that actually outlines each step to take in order to donate contact lenses to MADRE
http://www.ehow.com/how_5130543_donate-contact-lenses.html
January 24th, 2011 at 9:00 am
To All Concerned:
Please remove Lions Clubs International from the advertised list of organizations who accept new/used contact lenses. Lions Clubs International does not currently have a recycling program for this type of eyewear.
Lions Clubs International does accept new and used, prescription and non-prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses as well as new/used hearing aids. These items are cleaned and refurbished, then distributed to those in need through programs supported in the LOCAL clubs and affiliated foundations.
Use the FIND A CLUB locator at the top of the Home page on the Web site http://www.lionsclubs.org to learn where the recycling drop-off locations are. The locator lists all 45,000 clubs in all countries and communities where Lions clubs exist. Contact the Club President listed on the club page at the telephone number/ e-mail provided to find out local recycling designation information–or to learn what assistance programs are supported in that community, if you or someone you know is in need of vision or hearing assistance.
Thank you,
Aimee Inks
Health and Children’s Services Department
Lions Clubs International Headquarters
Oak Brook, Illinois