Ever wonder what happens to the used eye glasses that are dropped into the Lions Eye Glasses boxes you see around town?For the last 20 years Lions from Central Indiana have taken these glasses, after they have been cleaned and measured, to various towns in Mexico where they are distributed free of charge to needy Mexicans. This is a one week mission usually that distributes about 5,000+ pair of the 65,000 pair that are taken down.
By 7 a.m., folks line up for their maybe six-hour wait for the opportunity for improved vision. Vision is so important to us all. We get joyful responses from grandfathers who can see the smiles of their grandson for the first time; parents who can now apply for new jobs, and mothers who can sew, cook and read better to their children. There is laughter and tears but joy and appreciation all around. The remainder of the glasses stay in Mexico and are used by optometrists throughout the year.
Two local Lions, Owen Matz and Mike Nichols, will again join with about 35 other Lions, Mexican optometrists, local nursing students and other volunteers to process the folks from start to finish.
This year we will be just north of Mexico City in town of Ecatepec de Morelos.