NEDERLAND — At its June meeting, members of the Nederland Lions Club met at the Nederland Community Presbyterian Church to sort 1,272 pairs of eyeglasses donated to the service organization at collection sites throughout the Peak to Peak region.

The glasses were sorted according to a variety of categories, including prescription and non-prescription glasses and sunglasses, specialty designer brands, readers, and broken or damaged glasses. Each grouping is counted and sent to various organizations which distribute the glasses or recycle them in several ways. A select number of readers are kept by the local Lions Club to give away at the Nederland Farmers Market.

Following the sorting event, members of the Nederland Lions Club traveled to Denver to further process the glasses. All usable prescription glasses were cleaned, scanned to determine the optics of each pair and sorted by prescription at the Colorado Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center (COLERC). They are then boxed for distribution to various organizations who distribute them in the U.S. and around the world to people who do not have access to glasses.

In the past year, Colorado Lions Clubs, including the Nederland Lions Club, provided a total of 25,500 glasses which were distributed to those in need in Uganda, Peru, Ghana, Mexico, Greece Togo, Rwanda, Kenya, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Belize as well as organizations serving those in need in Colorado.

“We are so appreciative of everyone who donated their used eyeglasses and sunglasses at our collection sites,” said Nederland Lions Club President Ann Marie Morgan.

“These glasses, which are no longer of use to the owner, become life-changing for those receiving these glasses who otherwise would not have access to eyewear.”

In addition to the eyeglass project, the Nederland Lions Club provides vision screening for pre-school and kindergarten students, volunteers at the Nederland Food Pantry, sponsors the Nederland Middle and High School Peace Poster Contest, Speech Contest, Senior Banquet and After Prom, and assists Nederland Elementary School.

In addition, it provides support for other community organizations such as Canyon Cares, Nederland Community Library, the Holiday Food Basket project, recent support of the new early childhood learning center being built, and the Ashes to Action Fund for those who experienced losses after the shopping center fire. It also provides scholarships for Nederland graduating seniors.

For more information about the Nederland Lions Club visit nederlandlionsclub.org.