The Vernon Lions are seeing a brighter future thanks to community efforts to give the gift of sight.
The local club recently loaded up about 80 boxes of prescription glasses – about 12,000 pairs – donated from the Mustard Seed Clinic. Thanks to the clinic’s Dr. Mathias Fellenz for collecting glasses from clients and optical stores, the donation will enable thousands of less fortunate people to see.
The donation, collected over two years, will be taken to the Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centre in Calgary where they will be sorted before being distributed to less fortunate individuals around the world.
This isn’t the first time Fellenz has been backing an out of sight opportunity to aid the vision impaired of the world.
“More than two years ago, my wife took a truck to Hamilton, Ont.,” said Fellenz.
And it won’t be the last.
While the Vernon doctor is retiring, the new owners of the clinic have agreed to continue collecting glasses and Fellenz and his wife will organize the efforts.
“We want to continue that because it’s a really valuable thing for people,” said Fellenz, who is also involved in other efforts to improve vision worldwide.
Through the Medical Ministry International, Fellenz goes on two-week eye projects (just one of many different medical projects MMI works on) and encourages anyone interested in taking part to get involved (mmicanada.ca).
“There are a number of volunteers in Vernon who have taken part in projects.”
To donate prescription glasses, visit the Mustard Seed Clinic at 3105 27th St. The Lions Club also has donation bins for glasses at the Safeway stores.