A complete listing
of eyeglass collection sites is located at the bottom of this page.
Service to the Visually Impaired
VISION SERVICES COMMITTEE
An active Club Committee which assists patients with arrangements
to receive no-cost surgery and treatment for eye disease through the Lions Eye
Foundation of Nevada and California. The committee also oversees the eyeglass
collection program and the awarding of the Hamilton Award.
The Reno Host Lions Club supports Lions in Sight, the entity designated
by Lions International as one of nine sanctioned recycling facilities in the
world. Using distinctive collection boxes at area pharmacies and opticians'
offices, the Club collects thousands of pairs of eyeglasses each year. The glasses
are analyzed through the Lions in Sight program in Vallejo, California, then
made available to the needy in developing countries to solve vision deficits.
Glasses are also collected through "lost & found" at area casinos and airlines.
Reno currently operates a satellite recycling center that collects and feeds
glasses to Vallejo. This center was built and organized by Reno Host Lions.
Further, two Reno Host Lions serve Lions in Sight as a Director and corporate
Trustee. For information on this program leave a message at 775-825-8811 and someone will get
right back to you.
The George Hamilton Humanitarian Award is given
to an area person who has demonstrated concern and commitment for the visually-impaired.
Winners since the award was established are:
- 1994 - The late Lois Baskerville was founder of the Sierra Nevada
Braille Transcribers Society.
- 1995 - Mt. Rose Lion Dr. Tyson Kales, who donates dozens of free eye examinations
for patients referred by the Lions Sight Conservation Committee.
- 1996 - Dan Sullivan, a legally-blind athlete, coaches visually impaired and blind
skiers and other athletes.
- 1997 - Lion Linda Brown, the first Reno Host Lion to
receive the award, participated in eye clinic trips to Tanzania
and Mexico and sponsored visits by the LensCrafters Foundation
Vision Van to Nevada and California.
- 1998 - Gladys Smart has served more than twenty-five years as Secretry
of the Washoe County Lions Sight Conservation Committee.
- 1999 - Sparks Greenbrae Lion Dave Seals, now deceased, served as President of
the Lions Eye Foundation of California/Nevada in 1995-1997.
- 2000 - Pat Bower has raised and trained puppies to serve as Guide Dogs for
the Blind for more than twenty years.
- 2003 - Reno Host Lion Steve Laden, has served since 1995 as Chairman of the Reno
Host Lions Club Vision Services Committee and is a Trustee of the Lions Eye
Foundation of California/Nevada.
- 2004 - The Lions Auxiliary has tested the vision of all third-grade students in
Washoe County chools for many years, detecting cases requiring corrective eyeglasses or treatment.
- 2005 - Reno Host Lions Dr. Andy Boren and Dr. Troy Humphreys have participated in eye clinics
in Mexico and elsewhere where they have prescribed corrective eyeglasses and conducted
retinal exams.
This award is named to honor George Hamilton,
a Reno Host Lion who served 49 years as the Club's Secretary and was a long-time
Reno optician before his death in 1993 at the age of 91.
WASHOE COUNTY SIGHT CONSERVATION COMMITTEE
A cooperative program supported by the Lions Clubs across the Truckee
Meadows, the Sight Conservation Committee provides free eye examinations and glasses
for students and elderly who are financially disadvantaged. Referrals are made
through school nurses and social programs. Lion Nick Conti during his service
as club president in 1976/77 co-founded this committee. Thereafter, he served faithfully
as it's Secretary-Treasurer for 25 years until shortly before his death in 2003.
Eyeglass Collection Box Locations in Reno/Sparks Area
- Davis Optical Center, 5061 S. McCarran Blvd.
- Davis Optical Center, 2835 N. McCarran Blvd., #102, Sparks
- Dr. Ed Angelini O.D., 350 W. Sixth Street
- DeMers Sparks Optical, 670 N. McCarran Blvd., Sparks
- Family Eyecare Associates, 1965 Baring Blvd., Sparks (Lion Dr. Troy Humphreys)
- Gerald Lent, Optometrist, 831 Keystone
- Pearle Vision, 5595 B, South Virginia St. (Lion Cathy Adams)
- Reno Eye Clinic, 2005 Silverada Blvd., Suite 140
- Sierra Eye Associates, 950 Ryland
- Reno Family Eye Care, 6360 Mae Anne Ave., Suite 1 (Lion Dr. Andy Boren)
- Wal-Mart Vision Center, 2863 Northtowne Lane
- Wal-Mart Vision Center, 4855 Kietzke Lane
- Sears Optical, Meadowood Mall
- CostCo Optical, Airport Plaza, 2200 Harvard Way
- Sam's Club Vision Center, 4835 Kietzke Lane (Lion Tamara Sternod)
- Advanced Vision & Laser Center, 2245 Green Vista Dr., #314, Sparks
- Raley's Supermarket Pharmacy, Golden Valley
- St. Mary's Hospital, Materials Managment Dept., 235 W. Sixth St.
- Gold & Silver Restaurant, 790 W. Fourth St.
- Washoe County School District Headquarters, 425 E. Ninth St.
- In addition to the above locations, eyeglasses are also collected at most Reno/Sparks
Casino Hotels. Collection boxes are located in the Lost & Found or the Security Office.
For more information concerning Lionism or one of these great
programs, contact :
Dr. Troy Humphreys, Membership Committee Chair, 775-3592499
- or call the club at -
(775) 825-8811
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