Millions of people throughout the world are suffering without vision correction. Some could lack the means to travel distances to an eye care professional. Others may not face that challenge, but do not have enough money to pay for eyeglasses. That is the need served by Northwest Lions, an all-volunteer organization located near Olympia.

Northwest Lions has processed over 2.2 million pairs since starting out in 2004 and a recent visit showed us why they have been so successful. All pairs that arrive to the Northwest Lions facility are inspected, cleaned, and sorted. Next, a process matches groups of different kinds of glasses with groups in need both at home and abroad. Any pairs not matched will be recycled through a domestic partner who will make sure the glass and metal are turned into new things and not sent to landfills.