Found glasses bring new vision to developing countries

July 27, 2011

Summary

Story

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer presented to Dr. John Jarstad of the Evergreen Eye Center and the Federal Way Kiwanis over 1500 glasses from King County Metro’s lost and found department to support those in need of glasses.

Dr. John Jarstad, an ophthalmologist, has led the Kiwanis sponsored program, Save Old Spectacles (SOS), since 1993. Each year von Reichbauer collects hundreds—sometimes thousands—of glasses on behalf of King County that will bring improved vision and opportunities to many people throughout the developing world.

“The efforts of this program have changed lives around the world,” said von Reichbauer.

In 2011, Dr. Jarstad and the nationwide Kiwanis program will reach the South Pacific Island nations of Samoa and Tonga before heading to Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam. 

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



King County Council member Pete von Reichbauer presents Metro’s lost and found glasses to Dr. John Jarstad (middle) and Jim Knapp (left), President of the Federal Way Kiwanis, representatives of the organization's Save Old Spectacles (SOS) program.