Pacific Northwest Kiwanis S.O.S. Program
(Save Old Spectacles)
"The Kiwanis Pacific Northwest (PNW) . Save old Spectacle program (SOS) provides the foundation with more raw recycled eyeglasses than any other organization."
The PNW S.O.S. program was started by a Long Beach, Washington Kiwanis optometrist, Dr. Sutter Kunkel who realized the need for eyeglasses in less-developed areas of the world. He put his idea into motion and thus the PNW S.O.S. program evolved. Since that time, the majority of the Pacific Northwest Kiwanis clubs have joined this effort to fulfill the many requests that the program receives.
In 1998, EyeCare WeCare Foundation’s founder and president, Dr. Jim Weyrich, was introduced to Mr. Bob Collison the PNW Kiwanis S.O.S. program’s coordinator. Dr. Weyrich, whom at that time, was volunteering with the Mercy Ships in the Philippines and needed recycled eyeglasses, he received thousands of the previously worn eyeglasses and was able to help thousands of indigents in the Philippines.
In 1999, the Mercy Ships left the Philippines, the need for vision services still remained, they had just scratched the services. While he served with the Mercy Ships, Dr. Weyrich decided that he would form a foundation and instead of using a ship to reach the poor people, He would use a mobile vision clinic to examine and distribute the eyeglasses to the needy.
Steve Maxwell replaced Bob Collison in 2005 as the Director of the PNW S.O.S. The very same year that EcWc conducted their first mission in the Philippines. After the first several missions EcWc the foundation started to grow, adding computerized instruments, adding eye medications and cataract surgeries. The more people that they served, the greater the needed for the recycled eyeglasses. The PNW S.O.S. project has always been the greatest supplier of raw recycled eyeglasses to EcWc Foundation. PNW S.O.S. has been able to meet the supply and demand of the eyeglasses as the foundation has grown. EyeCare WeCare carries over 50,000 pair of graded eyeglasses in their mobile clinic to each mission. This is why they can find a prescription for over 98% of their patients program. EyeCare WeCare was able to buy an used bus and convert it to a mobile vision clinic in 2007. Since that time, they have examined and provided over 28,000 underprivileged Filipinos, free vision services and have really changed lives. EyeCare WeCare saluted the PNW Kiwanis S.O.S. program for their efforts and contributions.
Dr Jim and Steve Maxwell have made many trips to Centralia, WA about halfway between Portland Oregon and the EyeCare WeCare Foundation USA Office in Montesano, WA. Steve brings truckloads of eyeglasses to Montesano and Dr. Jim has made trips to Portland to pick up the eyeglasses. Dr. Weyrich receives multiple boxes of recycled eyeglasses every week sent to him from individual clubs.
"The Kiwanis Pacific Northwest (PNW) . Save old Spectacle program (SOS) provides the foundation with more raw recycled eyeglasses than any other organization."
The PNW S.O.S. program was started by a Long Beach, Washington Kiwanis optometrist, Dr. Sutter Kunkel who realized the need for eyeglasses in less-developed areas of the world. He put his idea into motion and thus the PNW S.O.S. program evolved. Since that time, the majority of the Pacific Northwest Kiwanis clubs have joined this effort to fulfill the many requests that the program receives.
In 1998, EyeCare WeCare Foundation’s founder and president, Dr. Jim Weyrich, was introduced to Mr. Bob Collison the PNW Kiwanis S.O.S. program’s coordinator. Dr. Weyrich, whom at that time, was volunteering with the Mercy Ships in the Philippines and needed recycled eyeglasses, he received thousands of the previously worn eyeglasses and was able to help thousands of indigents in the Philippines.
In 1999, the Mercy Ships left the Philippines, the need for vision services still remained, they had just scratched the services. While he served with the Mercy Ships, Dr. Weyrich decided that he would form a foundation and instead of using a ship to reach the poor people, He would use a mobile vision clinic to examine and distribute the eyeglasses to the needy.
Steve Maxwell replaced Bob Collison in 2005 as the Director of the PNW S.O.S. The very same year that EcWc conducted their first mission in the Philippines. After the first several missions EcWc the foundation started to grow, adding computerized instruments, adding eye medications and cataract surgeries. The more people that they served, the greater the needed for the recycled eyeglasses. The PNW S.O.S. project has always been the greatest supplier of raw recycled eyeglasses to EcWc Foundation. PNW S.O.S. has been able to meet the supply and demand of the eyeglasses as the foundation has grown. EyeCare WeCare carries over 50,000 pair of graded eyeglasses in their mobile clinic to each mission. This is why they can find a prescription for over 98% of their patients program. EyeCare WeCare was able to buy an used bus and convert it to a mobile vision clinic in 2007. Since that time, they have examined and provided over 28,000 underprivileged Filipinos, free vision services and have really changed lives. EyeCare WeCare saluted the PNW Kiwanis S.O.S. program for their efforts and contributions.
Dr Jim and Steve Maxwell have made many trips to Centralia, WA about halfway between Portland Oregon and the EyeCare WeCare Foundation USA Office in Montesano, WA. Steve brings truckloads of eyeglasses to Montesano and Dr. Jim has made trips to Portland to pick up the eyeglasses. Dr. Weyrich receives multiple boxes of recycled eyeglasses every week sent to him from individual clubs.
In October of 2013, Steve Maxwell presented a Certificate of Appreciation from EyeCare WeCare Foundation, to Earl Schroeder. Earl has probably has obtained more total eyeglasses for the foundation than any other individual. He hails from the Sisters, Oregon Kiwanis Club. He has served his club as president and later as District Governor. Thank you Earl and thank you Steve for your roles in bringing sight to the poor people in developing nations.
More Information about the PNW S.O.S. Program contact:
Mr. Steve Maxwell
Kiwanis PNW District S.O.S. Director
5835 SE 62nd Ave
Portland, OR 9706-5903
Phone: 503-775-6302
Email: stevenmaxwell46@gmail.com
Mr. Steve Maxwell
Kiwanis PNW District S.O.S. Director
5835 SE 62nd Ave
Portland, OR 9706-5903
Phone: 503-775-6302
Email: stevenmaxwell46@gmail.com
What happens to the used eyeglasses that EcWc receives
Everyone should have the opportunity to join us on a medical vision mission to the Philippines some day. They need to receive the hugs and witness the uncontrolled tears of joy that come when people, especially the young kids have their vision restored.
What a miracle. Of course that didn’t just happen by chance. Each pair of donated eyeglasses has traveled many miles and have undergone many phases in order be able to carry out their purpose, to change lives. When they arrive at the EyeCare WeCare Foundation headquarters, they are first sorted , many are beyond repair are separated out Many frames can be repaired some lenses have to put back into their frames; The eyeglasses are then cleaned by putting them through a dishwasher cycle; then a lensometer is used to measure the powers of the eyeglasses and the prescription is written on a plastic zip bag and placed in the bag. They are then placed in large boxes and transported to Tacoma to LBC, an ocean transport company ,ship them to the Philippines. Each box costs $70 to ship. We ship around 30 boxes each year.. They take 6 weeks to be delivered to the EyeCare WeCare Foundation branch office in Makati near Metro Manila Philippines. We have volunteer opticians who sorts out the bagged glasses with the prescriptions written on them, and places them into one of three boxes. They are Men’s glasses, Women’s glasses or children’s glasses. Each of those boxes are further sorted as to farsighted or nearsighted; then sorted even further to bifocals or single vision.
10 categories
Each of these 10 categories are sorted down into powers of the right eye starting at zero power placed in ascending order. We color code each category container so when volunteers remove the containers off the mobile clinic, they simply stack the green, for example, which is Men Single Vision Farsighted, into one stack and the Red which would be the Men Bifocal Farsighted eyeglasses. Each of the containers (which are colored and labeled as to Sex and Type will also have a power range written on them, for example 0 - +1.00 or +1.00 to +2.00. Each color category can be placed into power order very easily by any volunteer. The 10 categories with their containers each with a different color and arranged in ascending powers. When the patient arrives at the dispensing area and hands the prescription to the volunteer dispenser, the dispenser looks at it to see what type and power and goes right to the box, finds one or two pair that are very close to their prescription (EcWc takes 50,000 pair on each mission) and returns to the patient to let them try the eyeglasses and see which pair works the best. They leave the area very happy and is awaiting the benefit of restored vision.
As you can see, it is quite a process. Without the eyeglasses there are no tears and hugs, no changed lives. poor people. When one looks at each pair of eyeglasses is received we see a very emotional recipient.
What a miracle. Of course that didn’t just happen by chance. Each pair of donated eyeglasses has traveled many miles and have undergone many phases in order be able to carry out their purpose, to change lives. When they arrive at the EyeCare WeCare Foundation headquarters, they are first sorted , many are beyond repair are separated out Many frames can be repaired some lenses have to put back into their frames; The eyeglasses are then cleaned by putting them through a dishwasher cycle; then a lensometer is used to measure the powers of the eyeglasses and the prescription is written on a plastic zip bag and placed in the bag. They are then placed in large boxes and transported to Tacoma to LBC, an ocean transport company ,ship them to the Philippines. Each box costs $70 to ship. We ship around 30 boxes each year.. They take 6 weeks to be delivered to the EyeCare WeCare Foundation branch office in Makati near Metro Manila Philippines. We have volunteer opticians who sorts out the bagged glasses with the prescriptions written on them, and places them into one of three boxes. They are Men’s glasses, Women’s glasses or children’s glasses. Each of those boxes are further sorted as to farsighted or nearsighted; then sorted even further to bifocals or single vision.
10 categories
- Women Single Vision Farsighted
- Men Single Vision Farsighted
- Women Single Vision Nearsighted
- Men Single Vision Nearsighted
- Women Bifocal Farsightedness
- Men Bifocal Farsighted
- Women Bifocal Nearsighted
- Men Bifocal Nearsighted
- Children Nearsighted
- Children Farsighted
Each of these 10 categories are sorted down into powers of the right eye starting at zero power placed in ascending order. We color code each category container so when volunteers remove the containers off the mobile clinic, they simply stack the green, for example, which is Men Single Vision Farsighted, into one stack and the Red which would be the Men Bifocal Farsighted eyeglasses. Each of the containers (which are colored and labeled as to Sex and Type will also have a power range written on them, for example 0 - +1.00 or +1.00 to +2.00. Each color category can be placed into power order very easily by any volunteer. The 10 categories with their containers each with a different color and arranged in ascending powers. When the patient arrives at the dispensing area and hands the prescription to the volunteer dispenser, the dispenser looks at it to see what type and power and goes right to the box, finds one or two pair that are very close to their prescription (EcWc takes 50,000 pair on each mission) and returns to the patient to let them try the eyeglasses and see which pair works the best. They leave the area very happy and is awaiting the benefit of restored vision.
As you can see, it is quite a process. Without the eyeglasses there are no tears and hugs, no changed lives. poor people. When one looks at each pair of eyeglasses is received we see a very emotional recipient.
Above: The containers in which the eyeglasses are placed to find the prescriptions quickly.