Designating the Month of May 2026 as “Eyeglass Recycling Month” in the State of Rhode Island

WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Lions Sight Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting visually impaired persons by providing vision screenings, eyeglasses, medical support, prosthetics, adaptive equipment, training, and recreational services designed to improve quality of life throughout the State of Rhode Island; and

WHEREAS, Founded in 1961 as the charitable arm of Lions Clubs International, District 42, the Rhode Island Lions Sight Foundation is composed of representatives from Lions Clubs across the State; and

WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Lions Sight Foundation carries out its mission of supporting visually impaired persons through financial, material, social, developmental, and rehabilitative assistance, with the goal of enhancing independence, accessibility, and quality of life for individuals with vision loss in Rhode Island communities; and

WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Lions Sight Foundation administers a comprehensive network of programs and services, including statewide vision pre-screenings in schools, day care centers, and community settings, provision of eye examinations and eyeglasses for uninsured and underserved individuals, support for low-vision and adaptive equipment services, operation of the Abbie Frances Lawton Memorial Home Eye Clinic, and coordination of referrals for ophthalmological and vision care services; and

WHEREAS, The Foundation further supports recreational, educational, and developmental programs for individuals who are visually impaired, including Camp Mauchatea for youth, Visually Impaired Persons fishing tournaments, rowing and kayaking programs, VIP golf instruction and tournaments, and other structured activities designed to promote independence, mobility, and community engagement; and

WHEREAS, In Rhode Island communities, the Foundation collects used eyeglasses through partnerships with Lions Clubs, eye care providers, schools, libraries, and community collection sites for reuse and recycling; and

WHEREAS, These collected eyeglasses are contributed to the global “Recycle for Sight” initiative of Lions Clubs International, through which usable prescription and non-prescription eyewear is processed at Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers, where it is sorted, cleaned, and classified prior to being distributed through international vision missions to underserved populations worldwide; and

WHEREAS, Millions of people worldwide suffer from uncorrected refractive errors that can be corrected with proper eyeglasses but lack access to basic vision care services; and

WHEREAS, Lions volunteers and recycling centers play a critical role in reducing landfill waste by repurposing usable eyeglasses and responsibly recycling unusable materials; and

WHEREAS, Residents of Rhode Island are encouraged to donate unused eyeglasses through local Lions Clubs, eye care providers, and community collection sites, thereby contributing to a global humanitarian effort that restores sight and improves quality of life; and

WHEREAS, Designating May 2026 as “Eyeglass Recycling Month” will promote awareness of vision health, environmental responsibility, and charitable service throughout the State of Rhode Island; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of the State of Rhode Island hereby designates the month of May 2026 as “Eyeglass Recycling Month” in the State of Rhode Island, and encourages residents to support the Rhode Island Lions Sight Foundation and local Lions Clubs by donating used eyeglasses and participating in community collection efforts; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Lions Sight Foundation and to Lions Clubs International.