ELLA Inspires (May)

Recycled glasses are then distributed to
Grace from your kids when you can’t attend
the field trip that falls on your work day. Most
people in need in low and middle income
communities where they will have the
importantly, grace with yourself. It’s okay that
you want to have a career and be a mom—
greatest impact.
you can do both and do them well.
What made you decide to get involved?
However, there’s no such thing as balance; it’s
When my eldest daughter turned 13-months,
more like juggling. One day work will require
more and the next day it will be the kids who
we learned that she had strabismus, along
with some other vision impairments. At a
need more. You have to throw the “career
ball” up and let it float for a minute while you
time in our life when we could have chosen
to worry about this diagnosis, we chose to
hold on to the “kid ball” a little longer.
Sometimes you will drop the balls. Trust me,
focus our energy on something positive. The
Lord, in his perfect timing, placed a service
it happens to all of us. That’s okay! GRACE!
project on my heart--A project that would
"Pick them back up and keep juggling."
involve my family, be close to our hearts, and
impact our community. With the help of
many wonderful people, our dream of
Tell us about 'A New View.'
starting this project became a reality in
Our project is called 'A New View' and our
February 2017.
purpose is to serve others by collecting used
Tell us about the work you've done with the
eyeglasses and donating them to the Lions
'A New View' so far!
Clubs International Recycle For Sight
program. Sight is one of Lions defining
After establishing the project, I worked with a
graphic designer and photographer to
causes, which is why they started the Recycle
design our logo, flyers, and social media
For Sight program. Throughout the year, they
collect used eyeglasses (prescription and
graphics. A friend made and donated our
main receptacle box and the others were
reading glasses, sunglasses and plastic and
metal frames) and deliver them to regional
donated by the McKinney Lions Club. I am
currently working with many volunteers to
Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers
(LERCs). LERC volunteers clean, sort, and
organize a collection drive in local
elementary schools this fall.
package the glasses.
| 1 3
E L L A I N S P I R E S . C O M