MADISON — As spring cleaning gets underway, the Madison Area Family Lions Club asks individuals to check dresser drawers and closets for used eyeglasses and donate them to Lions “Recycle for Sight.”

Madison Lions have designated collection sites throughout the Madison area. The club collects prescription eyeglasses that people are no longer using, along with prescription/non-prescription sunglasses. Collected glasses will be cleaned and prepared for distribution to global areas where eye care often is unaffordable and inaccessible.

“In most developing countries, an eye exam can cost as much as one month’s wages. A single eye doctor may serve a community of hundreds of thousands of people,” Club Chairperson John Emich said.

Local clubs ship the donated glasses to a regional Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center for cleaning, categorizing by prescription and preparing for distribution by Lions and other groups.

“So far this calendar year, the club has collected over 1,300 eyeglasses for the Lions Recycle for Sight program,” Emich said. “I want to thank the people of Madison County for their donations and our collection partners, who without their support, we could not have collection boxes in so many locations.”

“I also thank our local FedEx employees who collected and donated over 750 eyeglasses to this program,” he said. “Without everyone’s support, we would not be able to help so many other people through this worthwhile program.”

Individuals can donate used eyeglasses (including sunglasses and reading glasses) in a specially marked “Lions Recycle for Sight” collection box at one of these locations:

* America’s Best Contacts and Eyeglasses, 8141 U.S. 72 W. in Madison.

* EyeMart Express, 6125 University Drive.

* Lens Crafters, 4925 University Drive.

* Madison Eyes, 419 John Henry Way in Madison at Clift Farm.

* Madison Eye Care Center, 66 Hughes Road.

* McCoy Vision, 100 Providence Main.

* Pearl Vision Center, 7771 U.S. 72 W. in Madison.

* Redstone Arsenal, Fox Clinic Optometrist Office.

* Sam’s Club, 5651 Holmes Ave.

* The Eye Center, 401 Meridian St.

* Faculty and Staff Clinic at University of Alabama in Huntsville, Wilson Hall.

* Pathway Eye, 12181 County Line Road in Madison.

The Madison Area Family Lions Club has 21 members and meets monthly on second Tuesdays at IHOP near Madison. Lions Clubs identify needs within the community and work together to fulfill those needs.

For more information, email John Emich at madisonlionsclub@gmail.com.