Give what you don't need to those who need it most
Eyeglasses
Lions Clubs International (www.lionsclubs.org) also run a recycling program that delivers glasses to those in need all over the world. The Lions work with the Give the Gift of Sight Foundation of Luxottica Retail, the company that owns LensCrafters and other eye-care chains. So an easy way to donate it to drop off old specks at LensCrafters, Pearle Vision, Sears Optical, Target Optical, or BJ’s Optical locations.
New Eyes for the Needy (www.neweyesfortheneedy.org) has provided glasses to 7.5 million people throughout the world. The organization accepts metal frames in any condition, unbroken plastic-frame glasses, sunglasses, hearing aids, and cataract lenses. It also accepts jewelry and giftware, which are sold to raise money for glasses.
Other Ways to Give
Not everyone has the funds to make a monetary donation, but your time can be just as valuable to a charity or a community-service organization. Cook dinner for your local firefighters, sign up to work a shift at a soup kitchen, or help deliver meals to elderly shut-ins.
Check if your employer offers a matching-fund program for philanthropic donations. You might be able to double the value of your check.
The IRS is encouraging companies to create leave-donation programs, wherein employees give up vacation or sick days in exchange for a monetary donation by the company to a registered Hurricane Katrina charity. Ask your boss if such a program exists for your office.
