Shared Vision is an eyeglass recycling program benefiting those in need. Eyeglass collection volunteers collect new and used eyeglasses through mailings or by establishing collection bins at work, church, school, or community locations. Glasses are then given to the Affiliates, who in turn coordinate the donation of the spectacles to local homeless shelters and health clinic both here and abroad. Recent donations have been distributed as close to home as the Venice Family Clinic in Venice, California or as far away as the US Doctors for Africa Clinic Missions in South Africa.
Collection drives are wonderful community outreach projects for students who need to complete community service hours. The Affiliates will provide volunteers with a program folder with several sample items to assist with your collection efforts including:
Article reprints – Reprints of recently published articles regarding the program can be posted in public locations or enclosed in collection mailings.
Collection envelopes – Envelopes allow eyeglass donors to enclose their donated eyeglasses within an envelope and include their name and address. This allows the Affiliates to send a special thank you postcard to each donor.
JSEI Affiliates brochures – Brochures are available if you would like to include them in mailings or post near collection bin locations, giving donors insight into the Affiliates organization and its members and volunteers.
Shared Vision stickers – Stickers are an easy way to identify and or decorate collection bins, which are provided by volunteers. Most volunteers use plastic tubs or cardboard bins for collection efforts, with some type of signage to identify the program. We leave the collection décor and placement up to the individual volunteer!
The Shared Vision eyeglass collection drive is a wonderful way to recycle used eyeglasses and share the gift of sight with others!
