Give the Gift of Sight

Our troop participated in a service project for OneSight.  The girls asked family members, friends, and neighbors to donate gently used prescription glasses and non-prescription sunglasses to recycle and deliver to OneSight patients at Global Clinics around the world.  Each year, OneSight must collect 2 million pairs of used eyewear to support their Global Clinics.  

"In 2012, we will conduct 12 Clinics in 6 countries. To date, OneSight has completed more than 200 Clinics in 37 different countries, helping more than 3.5 million people."

The girls in our troop spent part of a meeting decorating shoe boxes with Collection Kit materials we printed from the OneSight website.  Prior to the meeting, I wrapped the shoe boxes in plain wrapping paper I had on hand. 

After asking permission, we placed a collection box in each of the Kindergarten and first grade classrooms.  Boxes were also placed in the teachers' lounge and workroom.  At the end of our drive, we donated 20 pairs of eyeglasses to OneSight!

We were fortunate to have a guest speaker attend one of our meetings to deliver a presentation on behalf of OneSight.  Our girls had a chance to try on glasses that altered their vision so they could experience what it would be like to have poor eyesight.  They also learned how donated eyeglasses are recycled and distributed to those in need in the United States and around the world.  

  
This collection fulfilled one of our service project requirements, but we informed the girls they were also working on earning petals to complete their Daisy Petals Set.  For example:  Rose--make the world a better place.  Green--use resources wisely.  Dark Purple--respect myself and others.  Orange--responsible for what I say and do.  

It should be noted that OneSight offers tours of their recycling center in Mason, Ohio.  Visitors must be at least seven years old.  At the time, our troop consisted of primarily five and six-year-olds, so this tour remains on our To Do List.  

Thanks for reading!