Seeing Beyond
the Border
eyeglass sorting,
recycling & vision support
Turning recycled eyeglasses and sunshades into vision, aid, and community service both locally and beyond.
impact as of August 29, 2026
1,000+
READERS DONATED
LOCALLY
21,100
GLASSES PROCESSED
Arizona lions eyeglass recycling terminal
ALERT
SATELLITE CLUB
6,200
GLASSES PROCESSED IN A SINGLE EVENT
Partner
LIONS CLUBS &
COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
What we do
collect
Gather donated glasses from our community.
presort
Separate glasses by type and condition.
clean
Remove dirt and residue from usable glasses.
sort
Route glasses for reading, donation, or recycling.
read
Measure lens prescriptions using a lensometer.
label
Attach the prescription to each pair of eyeglasses.
package
Prepare glasses for local and global distribution.
recycle
Send unusable components to for recycling.
SEE THE WORK.
SHARE THE VISION.
Explore the training, partnerships, and milestone moments behind Seeing Beyond the Border—from hands-on eyeglass processing to expanding vision access through ALERT.
Learning the Eyeglass Process
In this video, Derrick, an Omega Leo and Veterans Chair for West Valley Empowered Voices Lions Club, helps teach the eyeglass recycling process to volunteers during a Seeing Beyond the Border service event.
alert certification
ALERT, Inc. (Arizona Lions Eyeglass Recycling Terminal, Inc.) is an MD21 South project and official Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center (LERC). On March 28, 2026, West Valley Empowered Voices Lions Club, an MD21 North club, was certified as an official ALERT Satellite Club by ALERT President Sue Gill—strengthening eyeglass recycling and vision service across district lines.
Wash. Rinse. Restore.
Every pair deserves a second chance. Learn how to safely wash donated eyeglasses without a sonic washer and prepare them for the next step in the recycling process through Seeing Beyond the Border.
local. global. impact.
local support
We turn donated eyeglasses into immediate local impact—placing readers and sunglasses directly into the hands of people who need vision support.
global vision missions
We process and prepare prescription eyeglasses and readers for distribution through ALERT—fulfilling requests for vision support from Lions and organizations worldwide.
environmental impact
We recycle unusable frames and parts, reducing waste and helping conserve valuable resources. By giving materials a second life, we support more sustainable practices and contribute to a cleaner, healthier future.
what we need
To successfully expand Seeing Beyond the Border, West Valley Empowered Voices Lions Club is seeking support in the following areas:
Lensometer equipment to accurately measure and categorize donated glasses
Storage containers and shelving for secure sorting and organization
Shipping and international logistics support for distribution to partner Lions Clubs abroad
Volunteers to sort, clean, and package supplies
With the proper infrastructure in place, we will be able to scale this initiative from a single shipment to an ongoing global distribution effort, restoring sight to hundreds — and eventually thousands — of individuals each year.
