Sign In For Members Join Sign In
  • Donate

  • For Members

  • Who We Are

  • Our Mission Our Faith Our History Supreme Officers About Membership Video Library
  • What We Do

  • Charity Insurance Invest Donor-Advised Funds Programs Scholarships Churchloan
  • Get Involved

  • Join Donate Find a Council Store College Councils
  • News Hub

  • Latest News Columbia Knightline Faith Response Social Media Hub
  • Contact Us

  • Safe Environment Program

  • Careers

  • Who We Are

    What We Do

    Get Involved

    News Hub

    Knight Vision

    New Jersey council collects used eyeglasses for those in need

    11/21/2019

    A New Jersey Knights of Columbus council is helping to bring the gift of sight to the visually impaired through the collection of donated eyeglasses.

    Commodore John Barry Council 2544 in Dunellen once collected used eyeglasses regularly, but it was “an old program and had met a slow death years ago,” said Brother Alan J. Kulig, chairman for the program. The drive was re-established a few years ago.

    The August 2019 drive set a council record, netting 684 pairs of used eyeglasses for donation to New Eyes for the Needy, a nonprofit organization based in Short Hills, N.J. “Previous to this donation, we donated over 1,500 pairs of glasses to this organization in the prior five years,” bringing the total to some 2,200 for the renewed program, said Grand Knight Jim Whelan.

    The process is simple. Donations of used eyeglasses are accepted year-round at two drop-off locations, one at the council’s home association and the other at Our Lady of Fatima Church in Piscataway, N.J., one of the two churches the council serves.


    From these locations, the cache of used lenses is transported periodically to the nonprofit that processes them.

    “This is a one-man operation, and that is me,” Kulig said. “I pick up the glasses throughout the year and check them, as there are always ones that are just too damaged to be used. Then I count and bag them.”

    Then, once or twice annually, Kulig delivers the eyeglasses to New Eyes for the Needy, where staff and volunteers sort the eyeglasses for distribution. The eyeglasses are then shipped in bulk to medical missions and international charitable organizations to give the gift of sight to the poor in developing nations.

    The nonprofit also accepts donations of cash, jewelry, watches and other goods to fund its U.S. program, which buys new prescription eyeglasses for disadvantaged children, adults and senior citizens through a voucher program in collaboration with social service agencies and health advocates.

    New Eyes for the Needy recently wrote to Whelan, expressing thanks for the council’s contributions.

    “To date, New Eyes has helped 8,000,000 people in over 60 countries to see clearly,” wrote the organization’s executive director. “We are grateful for your partnership in our work to bring clear sight to those most in need in our own country and overseas.”

    PRESS RESOURCES

    PRESS

    Logos & Emblems

    Photo Library

    Press Releases

    Recent News

    Supreme Convention

    Video Library

    PUBLICATIONS

    Chaplain's Report

    Columbia

    Fraternal Leader Advisory

    Knightline

    Knights in Action

    Share your Knights in Action News

    FOR PRESS INQUIRIES

    Please contact the
    Knights of Columbus News Bureau
    news@kofc.org, 475-255-0097

    Knights of Columbus 1 Columbus Plaza New Haven, CT 06510 203-752-4000

    Connect With #KOFC

    Who We Are

    Our Mission Our Faith Our History Supreme Officers About Membership Video Library

    What We Do

    Charity Insurance Invest Programs Scholarships Churchloan

    Get Involved

    Join Donate Find a Council Store College Councils

    Member Resources

    Sign In For Members Safe Environment Program Brand Assets Benefits
    This website uses cookies, including third-party cookies, to optimize the functionality of the website and for website analysis and statistics. To find out more about cookies and how to change your cookie settings, please go to our Cookie Policy. Click Allow if you agree to the use of cookies.