New Eyes for the Needy
The “Company Profile” is an Earth911.com series highlighting consumer goods and services making a difference through product stewardship and recycling. Products and services featured do not pay for placement and are not endorsed by Earth911.com.
New Eyes for the Needy provides the opportunity for improved sight to millions of people worldwide. The organization was founded by Julia Terry in 1932, when as a nurse for the Red Cross, she noticed that many of the people who had come for help could not read their applications, because they did not have the money to pay for glasses.
Supported annually by the help of hundreds of volunteers, New Eyes works through its two major missions:
- Purchasing new glasses for qualifying applicants in the U.S.
- Sending donated glasses to those in need overseas through various groups
To date, the organization has helped over seven million people in 56 countries find a new quality of life through improved sight. To learn more about the company and how people can get involved, Earth911 spoke to Susan Dyckman, the executive director for New Eyes.
How it Works
New Eyes receives monetary donations and used eyeglasses from individuals, religious groups, civic groups, opticians and manufacturers. According to Dyckman, New Eyes receives between 200,000 and 300,000 pairs of glasses per year, averaging at a retail price of $250 per pair. Because of this steep cost, Dyckman noted that for those people who could not normally afford them, these glasses may be “the only pair of glasses they’ll ever own.”
In the U.S., New Eyes uses a voucher program, where those who qualify can take their voucher to any optician who accepts their reimbursement for a new pair of glasses. According to Dyckman, “100 percent of individual donations and foundation donations go to the purchase of new glasses.” In other countries, donated pairs of glasses are fitted to individuals by volunteer groups, such as medical missions, across the globe.
Fabulous Finds
If you happen to be in the area of Short Hills, N.J., you can stop by New Eyes’ location and visit its Fabulous Finds showroom. There, donated items such as estate jewelry, china, crystal and silver are sold to raise money for the New Eyes’ U.S. eyeglass program.
New Eyes also accepts hearing aids for recycling to raise money for their U.S. eyeglass program.
Seeing Change
For Dyckman, the most exciting part of her job is working with volunteers, “because they are so enthusiastic about our mission.” In addition, she also enjoys “hearing back from the people that we help. We receive pictures from missions, and it’s so inspiring to hear the difference that these glasses make. It makes a world of difference to a lot of people.”
When considering the impact of impaired vision on a person’s life, the effects are far-reaching. “How can you fulfill your job responsibilities, live safely, prepare meals? How can you build a fire? There’s such a loss of independence.” Dyckman also added that, “so many children are identified as problem learners, not because of diminished capacity, they just can’t see clearly. 70 percent of juvenile delinquents have a vision problem.”
In the future, Dyckman hopes to continue New Eyes’ two programs and focus on raising awareness about them, including finding new donors and partners.
Favorite R
Dyckman’s favorite “R” is “reuse, because a pair of eyeglasses is a very precious thing for someone who can’t afford to get them on their own. It makes people more self-sufficient. Most people can imagine what it’s like not to be able to see clearly and the impact that would have on their lives.”
The World Health Organization estimates that 153 million people around the world have vision problems which could be corrected with glasses. Eyeglass donation is a great way to keep valuable resource out of landfills and in the hands of those who need them most.
- "Lions Eyeglasses Recycling Facts" Lions Club International http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/vision_eyeglass_centers.shtml.
- Dyckman, Susan. (11/07/2008). New Eyes for the Needy Phone Interview.
Sugar Wallace
posted on November 17th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
This is a brand new thing for me and would be grateful if you can elaborate on the glasses. I live in the South Pacific in the Fiji Islands and Eco-Friendly System is too new to our country. There is a company called Seneji who have introduced this to us. Please help me in the information needed. I don’t even know what to ask for .
Hope to hear from you soon.
Jennifer Berry
posted on November 17th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Hi Sugar,
If you are looking for New Eyes to come to your area, I would contact them directly. If you visit their site, you can contact the director, Susan Dyckman, who we interviewed. I hope they can help!
Mary
posted on November 21st, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Can you tell me why eyeglasses cannot be donated to recipients within the U.S.? Whenever my daughter gets a new prescription I always donate her old pair to the Lions’ Club – the box is right at the eyeglass store. But I never understood what prevents glasses going to needy U.S. residents? They are so expensive!!
Thanks.
Jennifer Berry
posted on November 24th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Hi Mary,
According to my interview with Susan, eyeglasses are not directly donated in the U.S. because of prescription regulations. The good news is that the Lions’ Club does a great deal of work with New Eyes, so rest assured that if you donate the glasses, a person in need somewhere (whether here or abroad) is receiving them.
Thanks!
Jennifer
Bubba
posted on December 5th, 2008 at 5:47 pm
“Jennifer Berry
posted on November 24th, 2008 at 9:15 am
Hi Mary,
According to my interview with Susan, eyeglasses are not directly donated in the U.S. because of prescription regulations”………………….
Let me explain this in detail for you. The lobbiests for the industry would rather people not see than to have good glasses given to those in need. They have done the math. It would cut into a lot of revenue.
Kristyn
posted on December 6th, 2008 at 4:48 am
Hi Mary,
There are some ways you can cut down on glasses perscription costs: (1) reusing the frames and just purchasing the lenses cuts some of the expense, (2) if you want to purchase any add-on to a lens (i.e. tint, AR coating, etc.) go with a local/generic brand if you have the option, and (3) if you live near an Optometry school they usually have a clinic and optical where costs are competitive and the quality is still great. Also, the next time you visit your optometrist and optician just ask them for some more tips to save; they’re truly there to serve the patient not just to make a dollar ;-)