Medina teachers and staff donate glasses to Lions Club

Provided photo: Jim Hancock, left, with Medina Lions is presented with a collection of eyeglasses and cases from Joe Byrne, an eighth-grade teacher and president of the Medina Teachers’ Association. More than 70 pairs were collected from faculty and staff to show their appreciation for what the Lions Club does to provide vision care to Medina students.

MEDINA – The Medina Lions Club was recently presented with a donation of more than 70 pairs of eyeglasses by the Medina Central School district.

Lions Club president Jim Hancock accepted the donation and thanked the school for its act of kindness.

The donation was initiated by Joe Byrne, an eighth-grade social studies teacher. He sent an e-mail to staff, urging them to start the new year with a vision of giving.

Throughout the month of January, donation boxes were placed in the main offices of Oak Orchard Primary, Wise Intermediate and Medina Junior-Senior High School.

The donations benefit the Lions Club Eyeglasses Recycling Program, which accepts used eyeglasses, prescription sunglasses, hearing aids and eyeglass cases.

“Let’s make a difference in someone’s life by providing the gift of clear sight,” Byrne urged in his e-mail.

School Superintendent Mark Kruzynski added his approval of the project.

“The Lions Club has been very active in improving vision for anyone who needs help,” Kruzynski said. “For many years now, members of the Lions Club have been providing free vision screenings to all our kindergarten students so that any vision issues can be identified while they are still young. I am proud that our faculty and staff have been able to donate over 70 pairs of eyeglasses to the Lions Club, so that those in need will not have to worry about vision care. Thank you to the Medina Teachers’ Association for organizing this eyeglass donation.”

Hancock said the Lions are very thankful for the donation. He said of 85 to 95 students

who annually have their vision screened by Medina Lions, typically 10 percent are found with some problem. In the case where a family may not be able to pay for an eye exam or eyeglasses, the Lions Club will step in and help.

He added his appreciation for the school’s donation, and said they will be turned over to the district Lions, which then recycles them. Last year, Medina Lions turned in almost 600 pairs of eyeglasses to the district.