Where Can I Donate Eyeglasses in Clarks Summit, PA?

For some people, a pair of eyeglasses is more than a tool to help you see better. At Northeastern Eye Institute, we understand that correcting vision impairment can improve your quality of life. A child with vision impairment can experience lower levels of educational achievement, and adults often have lower rates of workforce participation and higher rates of depression or anxiety. Among older adults, vision impairment can contribute to social isolation, difficulty walking, and a higher risk of falls and fractures. 

Many people cannot afford eyeglasses, so if you have a pair of old, functional ones stored in your closet, don’t throw them away. Donate them instead. You’ll never know whose life you’ll change with those unused eyeglasses. Here’s a list of places to donate eyeglasses in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania.

Lions Clubs International

Lions Clubs International (LCI) is a worldwide non-political service organization comprising volunteers engaged in various charitable activities. They take an active interest in the civic, cultural, social, and moral welfare of communities and have eyeglass recycling centers in multiple locations. LCI volunteers collect old, donated eyeglasses and ship them to the nearest eyeglass recycling center, which cleans and packages them.

You can use the club locator to find a Lions club near you. Once you’ve located a club, click the envelope icon to send a message to the club. You can mail your eyeglasses or unopened contact lenses to the nearest Lions Eyeglasses Recycling Center if you cannot find or get to a Lions club.

Goodwill

Goodwill, a household name, works to improve quality of life by strengthening communities and eliminating barriers to opportunity. They sell and distribute donated clothing and household items in over 3,200 Goodwill stores in North America. You might have dropped off used clothes in their stores before, but Goodwill also accepts eyeglass donations. The organization matches them with low-income community members who have visual impairments. Other charitable organizations also partner with Goodwill to distribute donated eyeglasses. Find a store close to you online.

The Salvation Army

It’s a well-known fact that the Salvation Army has thrift stores that raise money for its rehabilitation programs by selling donated used items. Its thrift stores fund adult alcohol and drug rehabilitation centers. Salvation army thrift stores accept clean, undamaged eyeglass donations. They have drop-off centers all across America. If there’s no drop-off location nearby, you can schedule a free pickup on the Salvation Army’s online website and have your donation collected right from your doorstep.

ReSpectacle

ReSpectacle is a charity organization that harnesses the power of the Internet to facilitate the redistribution of quality, used eyeglasses to underserved communities worldwide. It connects people needing eyeglasses to those with some to donate. This organization cleans and categorizes all eyeglass donations. It then uploads this information to its online database. Anyone in need can browse Respectacle’s website and select eyeglasses that meet their requirements. Prescription eyeglasses are welcome donations. You can ship your donation or drop it off at ReSpectacle’s drop-off locations.

Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity

Volunteer Optometric Services to Humanity (VOSH) is a national non-profit organization that provides free quality vision care services through temporary clinics to those in need. It aims to help people see again by correcting their vision with eyeglasses and improving their well-being. You can donate eyeglasses via the VOSH website and either mail them or arrange for VOSH to collect them.

Thrift Stores

Your local thrift stores may accept used eyeglasses if you cannot find a reliable drop-off location or mail in eyeglasses to a charitable organization. Some thrift stores have effective methods of marking prescription eyeglasses and can sell whatever you donate. In this way, you can still offer low-income individuals the opportunity to improve their vision and quality of life.

How To Clean Eyeglasses 

Here are a few suggestions to help you clean your eyeglasses before donating them.

How To Clean Lenses

Cleaning your lenses helps to keep your vision clear, but it’s vital to know the correct way to clean them as some methods can cause damage to the lenses. It takes about 30 seconds to clean lenses the right way by following these steps:

• Wash your hands with soap and water so that they don’t transfer bacteria or viruses onto your eyeglasses.
• Spray both sides of your lenses with a lens cleaner to minimize the risk of scratching.
• Rub your lenses with a soft lens cloth, and wipe away the solution as you clean.
• Avoid using any cleaners that contain ammonia or other strong chemicals.
• Don’t breathe into your lenses, as you may create smudges.

How To Clean Frames

It’s essential to clean your eyeglass frames as they touch your skin, and you don’t want to transfer any dirt or bacteria and want to donate your eyeglasses in spotless condition. Follow these guidelines to clean the frames:

• Hold your eyeglasses on the side of the frames while you’re cleaning so that you don’t break or bend them.
• Wipe down your frames with mild soapy water and a soft cloth. 
• Wipe your glasses dry with a soft lens cloth or microfiber cloth.

Tips When Donating Eyeglasses

Here are some tips to make your donation count:

• Functional eyeglasses: Remember to donate eyeglasses with no broken lenses.
• Secure packaging: Eyeglasses break with little effort, so pack them in a padded envelope or similar form of secure packaging so that your intended recipient receives them intact.
• Tax deductions: Only items donated to qualified charities will count toward a tax deduction, and the amount of the tax deduction is the fair market value of the donated eyeglasses.

Our team at Northeastern Eye Institute has just shared a list of where you can donate eyeglasses in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. Your eyeglass donation may help someone to improve their quality of life. If you need further information or would like to schedule your next eye exam, drop us a line, or fill out the contact form on our homepage. Our team of professionals has the expertise to answer any of your questions or meet any of your ophthalmologic needs. Eye exams are a crucial part of your health routine.