Jason Unrau
Northern News Services

Inuvik (Apr 09/04) - Clear vision is something most of us take for granted. However, in developing countries many people go a lifetime without the luxury of corrective eyeglasses.

And doing its part to address this issue is the Inuvik Lions Club, which has once again set up an eyeglass collection box at the regional hospital.

"We collected glasses before the new hospital was built," said Inuvik chapter president Vicki Boudreau. "Now people have come and sought me out asking where they could donate glasses."

Boudreau says the club has renewed its relationship with the new hospital for the donation program, and now when people pick up their new prescription lenses, there will be a box to deposit old eyewear.

Lions Club "Northern" District Governor Howard Rixie says the region -- which includes Northern Alaska, Yukon, Northern NWT and Northern British Columbia -- will produce approximately 100,000 pairs of refurbished glasses this year.

Last year, Lions Clubs across North America recycled two million pairs of eyeglasses for needy eyes in places such as Africa, Asia and Northern Russia.