The ability to see crisply and clearly can be sometimes taken for granted in a country like Canada.
But for millions of people around the world, access to quality optometric care remains limited to non-existent.
So for more than 20 years, Lions Club International has endeavoured to provide used, donated glasses to places where they can help improve people’s sight.
The Sundre Lions Club has also been involved in this initiative over the years and the Sundre High School Leo Club recently dedicated some time on a day off to prepare more than a thousand glasses destined to reach communities in Africa.
On Saturday, Sept. 28, half a dozen students along with two members of the local Lions Club were at the Canadian Lions Eyeglasses Recycling Centre in Calgary getting a shipment ready, said teacher Ryan Beck.
“We cleaned, measured the prescription, sorted and packaged for shipping 1,300 pairs of used but great condition glasses that were donated from across Canada,” said Beck.
“These are part of an order for 40,000 glasses that will soon be on their way to three of the poorest countries in Africa. They arrive there with a volunteer Canadian optometrist who will dispense them to people in need.”
The high school’s leadership club is essentially the Sundre High School Leo Club, which is associated with and works closely alongside the local Lions Club, he said.
“We support each other in various endeavours. This was a Lions endeavour that the Leo club helped with.”
Donations of used glasses that remain in good, useable condition can be dropped off at Sundre Vision Clinic, he said, adding the group plans to return to the Lions centre in Calgary this February to help prepare another batch.
Meanwhile, the Leo club leadership class is also gearing up to get ready for Halloween.
“We are working on our annual haunted house,” he said, adding that will be held on Thursday, Oct. 31 at the high school.
