Berkeley Parents Recommendations for Charity

Donating Used Eyeglasses

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September 2001

I have no less than 4 pairs of old eyeglasses. Is anyone aware of organizations that can actually use this type of donation? Daphne

I have donated numerous pairs to Dr. Woodring, on Solano Avenue. He's associated with a UCB program that travels to central america to offer testing and distribution of eye glasses. (He's also a very fine optometrist.) Sarah
Apparently Lenscrafters has a foundation that donates used eyeglasses to persons without access to eyecare both here and abroad. You should contact them for any further information, but I believe they have boxes in each Lenscrafters store where you can donate used glasses. rooghe
I take my used eyeglasses to my optometrist's office which is Berkeley Optometric Group on 2414 Shattuck in Berkeley for re-use. I can't remember where they forward them on to but you can contact them at 843-1228 to find out. Lorraine
The El Cerrito Recycling Center on Schmidt Ave. in El Cerrito collects eye glasses to send overseas. The collection box is in their small office, not an outside bin, so you'd need to do a drop off during regular work hours (which includes weekend hours). I don't know whether other recycling centers accept eye glasses as well. npg
donate your used eyeglasses to the UC Berkeley School of Optometry on campus. VOSH (volunteer optometric services to humanity -- or something like that) can use them on their trips to various needy countries where the students provide exams and glasses to those who cannot get them normally. suzie
My optometrist, Aaron Thornton on Fruitvale Avenue, told me he will take my old eyeglasses (I have every pair since I started wearing glasses at age 10!). He also told me that Lyons Center for the Blind will take them. Jody
I know that there is an organization, it may be the Lion's Club. I just can't recall. Give them or Dr. Larry Harrison in Berkeley a call. He is an optometrist who collects used specs for some organization. Marianne
I am responding to Daphne about who can use old eyeglasses. The Lions Club (800-74-SIGHT) or ant LensCrafters store will accept these and then donate them to developing countries for someone in need. Trish
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