| R 303 |
| 2026 -- H 8516 Enacted 05/05/2026 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF MAY 2026 AS “EYEGLASS RECYCLING MONTH” IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
Introduced By: Representatives Phillips, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale, Corvese, Hull, Ajello, Fellela, Cortvriend, and Diaz |
| Date Introduced: May 05, 2026 |
| WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Lions Sight Foundation is a nonprofit organization |
| dedicated to assisting visually impaired persons by providing vision screenings, eyeglasses, |
| medical support, prosthetics, adaptive equipment, training, and recreational services designed to |
| improve quality of life throughout the State of Rhode Island; and |
| WHEREAS, Founded in 1961 as the charitable arm of Lions Clubs International, District |
| 42, the Rhode Island Lions Sight Foundation is composed of representatives from Lions Clubs |
| across the State; and |
| WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Lions Sight Foundation carries out its mission of |
| supporting visually impaired persons through financial, material, social, developmental, and |
| rehabilitative assistance, with the goal of enhancing independence, accessibility, and quality of |
| life for individuals with vision loss in Rhode Island communities; and |
| WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Lions Sight Foundation administers a comprehensive |
| network of programs and services, including statewide vision pre-screenings in schools, day care |
| centers, and community settings, provision of eye examinations and eyeglasses for uninsured and |
| underserved individuals, support for low-vision and adaptive equipment services, operation of the |
| Abbie Frances Lawton Memorial Home Eye Clinic, and coordination of referrals for |
| ophthalmological and vision care services; and |
| WHEREAS, The Foundation further supports recreational, educational, and |
| developmental programs for individuals who are visually impaired, including Camp Mauchatea |
| for youth, Visually Impaired Persons fishing tournaments, rowing and kayaking programs, VIP |
| golf instruction and tournaments, and other structured activities designed to promote |
| independence, mobility, and community engagement; and |
| WHEREAS, In Rhode Island communities, the Foundation collects used eyeglasses |
| through partnerships with Lions Clubs, eye care providers, schools, libraries, and community |
| collection sites for reuse and recycling; and |
| WHEREAS, These collected eyeglasses are contributed to the global “Recycle for Sight” |
| initiative of Lions Clubs International, through which usable prescription and non-prescription |
| eyewear is processed at Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers, where it is sorted, cleaned, and |
| classified prior to being distributed through international vision missions to underserved |
| populations worldwide; and |
| WHEREAS, Millions of people worldwide suffer from uncorrected refractive errors that |
| can be corrected with proper eyeglasses but lack access to basic vision care services; and |
| WHEREAS, Lions volunteers and recycling centers play a critical role in reducing |
| landfill waste by repurposing usable eyeglasses and responsibly recycling unusable materials; and |
| WHEREAS, Residents of Rhode Island are encouraged to donate unused eyeglasses |
| through local Lions Clubs, eye care providers, and community collection sites, thereby |
| contributing to a global humanitarian effort that restores sight and improves quality of life; and |
| WHEREAS, Designating May 2026 as “Eyeglass Recycling Month” will promote |
| awareness of vision health, environmental responsibility, and charitable service throughout the |
| State of Rhode Island; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of the State of Rhode Island hereby designates the month |
| of May 2026 as “Eyeglass Recycling Month” in the State of Rhode Island, and encourages |
| residents to support the Rhode Island Lions Sight Foundation and local Lions Clubs by donating |
| used eyeglasses and participating in community collection efforts; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Lions Sight Foundation and to |
| Lions Clubs International. |
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| LC006401 |
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