PHILIPSBURG:--- Lions International has recognized the urgent need for corrective lenses and collects usable glasses in their communities to support the Lions Recycle for Sight Program. Refractive errors can be easily corrected with eyeglasses, yet millions living in low- and middle-income countries around the world lack access to basic eye care services.
Here at home, the St. Maarten Lions Club has been for years collecting used eyeglasses for shipment to Lions International Recycling Center in Ohio, United States. Health & Wellness Committee Chair, Lion Jimmy Challenger: “Due to external market shocks, including the COVID19 pandemic, shipping prices have increased, making it more costly for our Club to continue its efforts to send collected used eyeglasses. We contacted Postal Services St. Maarten, now a partner in service, covering part of the shipment expenses.”
Director of Postal Services St. Maarten (PSS), Ms. Marinka Gumbs: “Eight boxes containing a combined number of approximately 1,908 used glasses were shipped and we can confirm that they arrived safely to their destination at the Lions International Recycling Center in Ohio for processing. As PSS continues to further improve its services to the community of St. Maarten, from time to time we participate in community projects that add value. We know that these recycled glasses will someday aid in improving someone’s sight and enable them to go about their daily lives with clearer vision.”
Lion Jimmy Challenger continued: “This Lionistic year’s theme is “Seeing Through the Eyes of a Lion”. We thank St. Maarten Postal Services for their contribution, for supporting this initiative. We are also pleased to inform the community that Postal Services St. Maarten is now an official collection point for dropping off used eyeglasses. We encourage everyone to support us as we aim to improve the quality of life of visually impaired persons here at home and throughout the world.”
The St. Maarten Lions Health & Wellness Committee Members remain available for any additional information that may be required on collection points throughout the island.
