The Hixson Lions club has several donation boxes located around the Hixson area for used eyeglasses.
"We accept prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses and reading glasses. It is not necessary to donate the eyeglass cases. We actually prefer just the eyeglasses only," officials said.
Here are locations in the Hixson area:
1. White Star Cleaners, 5936 Hixson Pike, Hixson
2. North River YMCA, 4138 Hixson Pike, Hixson (pool area)
3. Wild Birds Unlimited, 5928 Hixson Pike, Suite 100, Hixson
4.
Hixson Eye Care, 5433 Hixson Pike, Hixson
5. Eye Care Associates PC, 4511 Hixson Pike, Hixson
6. Northgate Vision Associate , 6014 Hixson Pike, Hixson
7. Eyeglass World, Highway 153, Suite 136 (Target shopping strip)
8. Vision Works, 5307 Hwy. 153, Suite 101
9. Lens Crafters, 314 Northgate Mall
10. North River Civic Center, 1009 Executive Dr., Suite 102
11. Hixson Community Center, 5401 School Dr., Hixson
Officials said, "When you enter one of these locations, just go to the front desk and tell them you are donating used eyeglasses and would like to deposit them in the Hixson Lions Club donation box. It is a heavy duty cardboard box with our name and Lions contact information. These boxes are checked each month.
"What do we do with your donated glasses? The glasses are packed and sent to an eyeglasses recycling facility. Once there, the glasses are sorted for usable or unusable. Usable glasses are sent to people in more than 50 countries who lack access to basic eye care.
"In the United States, donated prescription glasses are not allowed to be distributed. The unusable glasses are broken down and the materials are recycled. The recycle company writes a check for these materials and the money helps to buy new glasses through the Hamilton County Lions Sight Service Association. Your donated eyeglasses give new life. You are helping people worldwide and in the Hixson community."