Seeing clearer through service
Thousands of Mexicans will be seeing the world through new lenses thanks to a group of students in MHR 3110.
In an attempt to help as many people as possible, the students are cleaning eyelglass to send to Mexico with the help of the Lion’s Club and local optometrists.
Jentry Miskin, a 25-year-old senior majoring in chemical and aerospace engineering, knew about the Lion’s Club project from his girlfriend’s family, who own Cache Valley Vision Center. His group liked the idea and decided to do it.
According to the Lion’s Club Web site, a fourth of the world’s population needs corrective lenses.
However in developing countries, an eye exam can cost as much as a month’s wages, if a doctor is available. Kevin and Gina Ellsworth have been collecting eyeglasses for four years, but they needed help to get them to the final steps of cleaning.
“The neat thing about this is that we couldn’t do it and they couldn’t do it, but together we can,” Miskin said.
The Ellsworths have placed bins for eyeglasses at other optometrists offices in the valley and in public places for collection. Once the glasses are dropped into bins placed around Cache Valley, they must go through long process before finding a home in Mexico.
According to Miskin, the fire department picks the glasses up and takes them to the Ellsworth residence. Ellsworth guesses she must have 5,000 to 6,000 glasses in her basement.
However, they cannot go to Mexico without a thorough cleansing.
The group members take turns being in charge of glass cleaning nights. The eight leading the cleaning are Eric Andersen, Kay Christensen, Jeran Farle, Elizabeth Jessop, Miskin, Randall Petersen, John Smart and Garrett Walker.
Each group member invites his or her friends to first soak each pair in Chlorox bleach and then scrub with a toothbrush.
This must be done several times. The nosepads and ear temples – the part of the eyeglasses that extends over the ear – are the especially dirty parts, Miskin said.
In an hour, eight people can clean about 100 to 150 glasses, Miskin said. Once the glasses are scrubbed, they must dry for 24 hours in open air to prevent mildew.
After that, they are bagged and the group’s job is done and the optometrist takes over.
The optometrist uses a lensometer machine to scan the glasses and identify the prescription. The prescription is written on the bag, and the glasses are now ready to go.
The Ellsworths will travel to Mexico, with the eyeglasses, and the Lion’s Club will bring the people to them.
For three to four days straight, optometrists will examine patients and then read off prescriptions, and volunteers will find the prescription eyeglasses closest to it and hand them out.
“It actually works out better than you think,” Ellsworth said.
Peterson, a human resource management major, sought help from other groups on campus.
Members of the Council of Student Clubs and Organizations were e-mailed about the project by Nic Gordon, ASUSU organizations and traditions vice president.
Alpha Epsilon Delta, the pre-health professionals club, jumped in and provided the needed resource of willing volunteers and a place to clean the glasses.
“It never really hit me what we were actually doing until we started cleaning glasses,” Peterson said.
Peterson wears glasses himself, and can’t imagine not having them. He said looks forward to allowing people to be able to see for the first time.
The group is currently seeking funding for the Ellsworth’s trip to Mexico, that will be summer 2006.
They are doing this by soliciting businesses and organizations.
The Ellsworth’s had originally planned to go in 2002, but because of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the trip was canceled.
Last year, the Ellsworths couldn’t go because of a family member that had to take precedence.
Because the group goes every other year, the Ellsworth’s could not go this summer.
“It’s been a ton of work… but if you think about it, it’s worth it to make time for it,” Peterson said.
-natandrews@cc.usu.edu