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SPECTACLE RECYCLINGCall to keep those glasses comingBy Linda GeorgeLions Clubs International have long been involved in projects supporting people with vision impairment.It all began with Helen Keller, blind anddeaf since two years of age, when shechallenged Lions to become "Knights ofthe Blind" in a crusade against darkness.Lions accepted Helen's challenge and inthe years since then have been involvedworldwide with a number of programmes- particularly in third-world countries, tohelp those with poor eyesight. Here inNew Zealand Lions clubs continue on withthe cause.In 1990 Christchurch's Ferrymead clubbegan spectacle recycling. Initially theclub spent $9500 on optical equipment toenable the team to sterilise the specs andrecalibrate the magnification and type ofeach lens. They were then packaged andpassed on to Volunteer OphthalmologistServices Overseas (VOSO) for distributionthroughout the Pacific Islands.In 1996, Papakura Lions also purchasedequipment to process eyeglass recycling.Sunglasses are also collected - particularlyhelpful in the Islands for use by those whohave had cataract operations.So while it is not a new project, StuartHintz of Remuera Lions is keen for clubsthroughout the country to help revitaliseit. Stuart has a passion for helping peoplewith vision impairments. He spent manyyears as a missionary in the Pacific, India,Pakistan and Nepal. He speaks fluentSamoan. A member of Remuera Lions forsix years, Stuart has been involved in thespectacle collection project ever since.a foremost Lions ethos to reach out to thosein need - and it was a foundation project forLions, because of Helen Keller, to help thosewho have vision impairment."Auckland optical dispensers Specsavers,in both Henderson and Newmarket, haveoffered their services as collection centresfor people to drop off their old spectacles.Other Specsavers and some independentoptometrists around the country alsooffer their stores as collection centres.Specsavers Henderson recently collected700 pairs in a couple of weeks!Specsavers Newmarket co-ownersKathy Rutgers and Ada Liu say they arecommitted to helping provide the bestpossible eye care to those in need - evenfurther afield than New Zealand."In remote areas of the Pacific Islands,accessibility to eye care can often bevery limited due to clinic locations anda shortage of trained optometrists," saidMrs Rutgers. "Ada and I are passionateabout supporting Lions as they improvethe quality of life for people by providingglasses and enabling people to seeproperly; an opportunity they would neverotherwise have.Vice president of Remuera Lions SamuelMusuku is also a student of optometry atthe University of Auckland."It is so important, providing help for peoplewho are less fortunate," he said. "Everydayactivities can become a real burden whenyou are sight impaired, so these glasseswill be well received and give hope andhappiness to those in need."So come on Lions - get in behindthe revitalisation of this incrediblyworthwhile project and set up collectioncentres in your area. If you would likeany assistance or further information,please contact Stuart Hintz, phone(09) 630 8337, mob (027) 485 1825,or email stuarthintz@yahoo.comTo find out more, including theaddresses to send the glasses to, goto www.lionsclubs.org.nz/spectacles"I feel we are privileged to live in NewZealand - and because we are privileged tolive in this country, we need to give somethingback to people who are less fortunate. It isRemuera Lion Stuart Hintz receives more than 700 pairs of glasses collected at SpecsaversHenderson over a couple of weeks.LION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 15