Shortly after our Club was formed, Charter President Karen Kline asked Charter Member Craig Scott -- a prominent eyeglass specialist -- to see if he could collect a few hundred old eyeglasses that she could take to Central America on a trip she was going to make.
The project grew and then partnered with Coventry Eye Care (now Spex) in Evanston. The plan: whenever 10,000 pairs were collected and cataloged they would be taken to Central America countries and distribute to those in need.
Collection baskets are located in the Wilmette and Kenilworth post offices. For the last 16 years, Gil has picked them up regularly. He's shown with a cake, presented as a token of appreciation for all his efforts. As of October 1 of this year, 45,000 pairs of glasses have been collected. Gil estimates the program will receive its 50,000th pair by the end of 2010. This is the longest-standing service project of our club, and very easy to support. Do you have glasses you can donate?
Collection baskets are located in the Wilmette and Kenilworth post offices. For the last 16 years, Gil has picked them up regularly. He's shown with a cake, presented as a token of appreciation for all his efforts. As of October 1 of this year, 45,000 pairs of glasses have been collected. Gil estimates the program will receive its 50,000th pair by the end of 2010. This is the longest-standing service project of our club, and very easy to support. Do you have glasses you can donate?