PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Health Systems (BHS) is partnering with eight local Lions Clubs of District 33-Y to launch an eyeglass donation drive that will give a second life to gently used glasses. 

 

The initiative, which is part of the Lions Clubs' long-running "Recycle for Sight" program, invites BHS employees, patients, and visitors to donate gently used eyeglasses, sunglasses, and reading glasses which will be cleaned, sorted, and distributed to people in need around the world through their internationally recognized eyeglass recycling program.

 

The initiative is rooted in BHS's CARE values of Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence. Donation boxes are now in place in the cafeteria and main lobby of all four BHS hospital campuses — Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Fairview Hospital in Great Barrington, North Adams Regional Hospital, and the Hillcrest Campus of Berkshire Medical Center.

 

"CARE isn't just a value we talk about internally — it's a promise about how we show up for our neighbors," said Darlene Rodowicz, CEO of Berkshire Health Systems. "Recycle for Sight is a simple, tangible way for our employees and our community to extend that promise well beyond Berkshire County. A pair of glasses sitting in a drawer at home could be the thing that helps someone else see clearly for the very first time."

 

Lions Clubs International has operated eyeglass recycling programs for decades, collecting millions of pairs of glasses annually and channeling them to Lions-sponsored vision clinics and missions in underserved communities worldwide. Locally, the eight Lions Clubs of District 33-Y have long supported vision screening, vision health education and access to eye care across Berkshire County.

 

"We're grateful to partner with an organization as trusted and visible in this community as Berkshire Health Systems," said Mary Swift, District Governor of Lions Clubs of District 33-Y.   "Hospitals see people every day who understand the value of good health – including good vision.  Having collection boxes in their lobbies means we can reach far more donors than we ever could on our own."

 

BHS is accepting donations of used eyeglasses, reading glasses, and sunglasses (both prescription and non-prescription). Glasses with loose or broken lenses or broken frames and eyeglass cases cannot be recycled and should not be placed in the collection boxes.

 

Community members who are not BHS employees or patients are also welcome to drop off donations at any of the four collection sites during regular business hours.