THE children of Tea Gardens Primary School are a sight for sore eyes.

The school, in conjunction with the local Lions Club, recently ran a 10-week campaign collecting unwanted spectacles and sunglasses for the ‘Recycle for Sight Program’.

In all aspects the project was a huge success.

“We had hoped to get around 250 pairs,” Lions Club President, John Hughes told News Of The Area.
“But we more than doubled that.”

“We just sent away 567 pairs of glasses to be recycled.”

The ‘Recycle for Sight Program’ has been operating in Australia for over 26 years and during that time it’s sent over 7 million pairs of refurbished quality spectacles to men, women and children in need all over the world.

The glasses have made their way to Africa, Europe the Middle East, Indian Sub-Continent, Asia and the Pacific Rim.

Involving Tea Gardens Primary was a part of the Lions Club’s Centenary Project for this year.

Lions International has challenged clubs all over the world to address the areas of hunger, environment, vision and youth.

The ‘Eyesight Program’ was a great fit involving both vision and youth.

“Principal Mark Clemson introduced me to the ‘Youth Parliament’ at the school and promoted it really well throughout the school,” John said.

“It also encouraged young people to become involved in community service.”

Once the spectacles and sunglasses have been refurbished they’ll be sent with a team of volunteer specialists to where they’re most needed.

The Lions Club would like to thank the students of Tea Gardens Primary and also the management and staff at Coles for supplying drop off points for the project.

 

By Margie TIERNEY