Lost and Found Eyeglasses Given New Life

August 24, 2010

Summary

Story

Pete von Reichbauer, Dr. Jarstad, and Federal Way’s Kiwanis present donated eyeglasses to third world countries in need.

Since 2001, Dr. John Jarstad of the Evergreen Eye Center, the Federal Way Kiwanis and King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer have partnered in helping bring corrected vision to those who cannot afford eyeglasses in developing countries around the world.

This year there were approximately 2,000 eyeglasses donated by King County employees and collected from Metro’s lost and found section, which were presented by King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer to the Kiwanis club’s Save Old Spectacles program.

“Each year hundreds of eyeglasses are left on Metro buses,” said von Reichbauer King County Councilmember and past President of the Federal Way Kiwanis. “The Federal Way Kiwanis is able to make a global impact through their charitable efforts, with the help of the Dr. Jarstad, as these eyeglasses are given a new life with the people who need them the most.”

The annual Save Old Spectacles (S.O.S.) program put on by Kiwanis clubs nation-wide is an ongoing program to provide people in third world countries with the gift of sight. Von Reichbauer noted that the leader of this local drive, Dr. John Jarstad, has been involved in the program since 1993.

To donate old eyeglasses please contact the Federal Way Kiwanis at (253) 839-9207 or visit www.federalwaykiwanis.org.