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 36,00 free eyeglasses to underprivileged Filipinos, The eyeglasses have really changed lives. EyeCare WeCare saluted the PNW Kiwanis S.O.S. program for their efforts and contributions.
Dr Jim and Steve Maxwell made many trips to Centralia, WA about halfway between Portland Oregon and the EyeCare WeCare Foundation USA Office in Montesano, WA. Steve brought truckloads of eyeglasses to Montesano and Dr. Jim has made trips to Portland to pick up the eyeglasses. Dr. Weyrich also receives multiple boxes of recycled eyeglasses every week sent to him from individual clubs. This great relationship all came to an end on August when Steve passed away with ALS. He had a year long struggle with the with this terrible disease bur never complained. Even though he resigned his position as Director of the SOS program he still made one last trip to Centralia to deliver a truckload of eyeglasses. He will be dearly missed by all that knew him. He was a truly one of the most philanthropic persons that I have ever met. He truly loved what EyeCare WeCare stood for and what impact it has on the visual needy in the Philippines. He has blessed the foundation by two large donations from his estate. What a blessing , Words cannot express the gratitude that the foundation has for Steve and his estate for the large donations.
"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 36,00 free eyeglasses to underprivileged Filipinos, The eyeglasses have really changed lives. EyeCare WeCare saluted the PNW Kiwanis S.O.S. program for their efforts and contributions.
Dr Jim and Steve Maxwell made many trips to Centralia, WA about halfway between Portland Oregon and the EyeCare WeCare Foundation USA Office in Montesano, WA. Steve brought truckloads of eyeglasses to Montesano and Dr. Jim has made trips to Portland to pick up the eyeglasses. Dr. Weyrich also receives multiple boxes of recycled eyeglasses every week sent to him from individual clubs. This great relationship all came to an end on August when Steve passed away with ALS. He had a year long struggle with the with this terrible disease bur never complained. Even though he resigned his position as Director of the SOS program he still made one last trip to Centralia to deliver a truckload of eyeglasses. He will be dearly missed by all that knew him. He was a truly one of the most philanthropic persons that I have ever met. He truly loved what EyeCare WeCare stood for and what impact it has on the visual needy in the Philippines. He has blessed the foundation by two large donations from his estate. What a blessing , Words cannot express the gratitude that the foundation has for Steve and his estate for the large donations.
pictures of Steve Maxwell delivering recycled eyeglasses collected by the Northwest Kiwanis clubs and donating them to EyeCare WeCare Foundation.. This occurs about 4 or more times a year.
John Flaherty becomes new SOS volunteer chairman for Northwest Kiwanis
John Flaherty, a very active member in the same Kiwanis Club as Steve ( the Kiwanis Club of Ross Island) has volunteered to head the SOS program. We thank you John for continuing to supply EyeCare WeCare with the needed eyeglasses to continue our moto "Bringing God's Ultimate Vision Plan to the poor"
John came to Portland from Saudia Arabia and joined Kiwanis in 1981. He has held a number of local and district positions in Kiwanis as well as being a volunteer for Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp and Doembecher Children's hospital for over 35 years. He became involved with the SOS program in 1993 with Bob Collison and worked with Steve Maxwell up until Steve was no longer able to continue as director because of medical reasons. It was then that he became the new director. Since then John and Dr. Jim have met multiple times in Centralia and brought thousands and thousands of eyeglasses. John has really helped out because he presorts the eyeglasses to eliminate the eyeglass cases from all of eyeglasses that he has collected. He also throws out all broken eyeglasses too which means that the eyeglasses can just be placed into large boxes to ship to Philippines. Thank you so much John
John came to Portland from Saudia Arabia and joined Kiwanis in 1981. He has held a number of local and district positions in Kiwanis as well as being a volunteer for Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp and Doembecher Children's hospital for over 35 years. He became involved with the SOS program in 1993 with Bob Collison and worked with Steve Maxwell up until Steve was no longer able to continue as director because of medical reasons. It was then that he became the new director. Since then John and Dr. Jim have met multiple times in Centralia and brought thousands and thousands of eyeglasses. John has really helped out because he presorts the eyeglasses to eliminate the eyeglass cases from all of eyeglasses that he has collected. He also throws out all broken eyeglasses too which means that the eyeglasses can just be placed into large boxes to ship to Philippines. Thank you so much John
More Information about the PNW S.O.S. Program contact:
Mr. John Flaherty
Kiwanis PNW District S.O.S. Director
10844 SE Mill Court
Portland, OR 97216
Phone: 503-577 4875
Email: johnflaherty@gmail.com
Mr. John Flaherty
Kiwanis PNW District S.O.S. Director
10844 SE Mill Court
Portland, OR 97216
Phone: 503-577 4875
Email: johnflaherty@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 $85 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.
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 $85 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.
- Each of these 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.