Julie Zilic from Le Pine Funerals. with some glasses. 76851 Picture: DAMJAN JANEVSKI
By Charlene Gatt
GOT a spare pair of specs?
Footscray’s Le Pine Funeral home is once again taking part in the Lions International Recycle for Sight program, which aims to collect 500,000 pairs of glasses throughout Australia this year.
The Footscray branch is a drop-off point for people to donate their pre-loved prescription glasses, which are donated to people living in the world’s poorest countries, including Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Fiji, Sri Lanka, Zambia and Tanzania.
Spectacles with scratched lenses or broken frames are repaired or recycled.
“Most people update their frames every couple of years to change up their look,” Le Pine Footscray manager Julie Zilic said.
“But now, instead of storing the old pair away, you can donate them to a program that ensures they’re put to good use – helping someone achieve a better quality of life.
“Sometimes people are unsure what they should do with glasses that belonged to a deceased loved one.
“Knowing that the program will pass their often great quality spectacles onto people who will be better off can cheer up some family members.
“They say that mum or dad hated seeing things go to waste, so donating to the program is a positive way to honour their life.”
Last year, the Footscray branch collected 500 pairs of used glasses.
Glasses can be donated at Le Pine Funerals at 484 Geelong Rd, Footscray, between 9am – 5pm daily.
