The Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services, working with New Eyes for the Needy in Short Hills, is providing an opportunity for the public to donate no-longer-used prescription eyeglasses through Feb. 14, 2014.

“For many people, the holidays are a time when we give thanks for all that we have.  It’s also a time when we want to help others who are less fortunate,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Patrick Scaglione, human services liaison. 

“Donating eyeglasses is a win-win opportunity because you can help others and clean up clutter from around your home before the holidays,” he said.

“Collected eyeglasses will be sent overseas to missions that distribute them to people who will benefit from the gift of sight,” said Freeholder Scaglione. “For people in many places throughout the world, such as South America and Indonesia, the ability to see clearly is just a dream, because there is no access to eye care, or people simply can’t afford to buy eyeglasses.”

For your convenience, eyeglasses can be dropped off at the Somerset County Human Services Building, located at 27 Warren St. in Somerville, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except holidays.

Additionally, eyeglasses can be dropped off at any of the seven county-operated senior centers, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., as follows:

·       Hillsborough Senior Center at 339 South Branch Rd. in Hillsborough

·       Manville Senior Center at 20 South Third Ave. in Manville

·       Montgomery Senior Center at 356 Skillman Rd. in Montgomery

·       Quail Brook Senior Center at 625 New Brunswick Rd. in Somerset

·       Raritan Senior Center at 614 First Ave. in Raritan

·       Senior Wellness Center at 202 Mount Airy Rd. in Basking Ridge

·       Warrenbrook Senior Center at 500 Warrenville Rd. in Warren

For further information, contact the Somerset County Office on Aging and Disability Services Disabilities Coordinator Mark Malone at 908-704-6334 or malone@co.somerset.nj.us.