October 2005

Cells for Sight

Don't know what to do with that old cell phone?

Old cell phones are pretty much useless. They clutter drawers and storage space. But we just can't bear to throw them away.  

Now there's a way to get good use out of that useless cell phone.

Through a partnership with the Georgia Lions Lighthouse, Walton EMC introduces the Cells for Sight program. Your donation of a used cell phone will help someone regain sight or hearing.

Here's how it works.   You drop off the old cell phone at one of Walton EMC's business offices in Snellville, Monroe or Watkinsville. A local Lions Club member collects the phones and sends them to the Lions Lighthouse in Decatur. The Lighthouse sells the phones to an electronics recycling company. The money comes back to help Georgians who need eye surgery, glasses or hearing aids.

It couldn't be simpler. And it's found money for the Lions Lighthouse.

The Lighthouse's purpose is to foster sight and hearing conservation as well as sight restoration.  A primary emphasis is directed toward youth who are not eligible for any government or employer program.

“The people the Lighthouse helps are the ones falling through the cracks,” said Lions Lighthouse Board Member Dan Stuart, who's also a WEMC Customer-Owner.  “But the number of surgeries we've been able to provide is dropping due to a lack of funding.

Malpractice concerns have taken their toll.  “It used to be that doctors donated all of their services to the Lighthouse,” continues Stuart. “They're still donating quite a bit, but now they're having to charge enough to cover malpractice insurance premiums.”

The Lighthouse works hard to stretch every dollar. For each dollar spent, they receive $3.87 in services.

Help them stretch those dollars even farther. Please bring that no-longer-used cell phone by one of our offices today.

Real Lighthouse Stories

•Cataracts had stolen the life of an active lady.

She just sat in her small apartment, lonely and sad.   But it wasn't always that way.

She would often bake cookies with the neighborhood children, sharing Bible stories as they worked.   She would snuggle in her big chair with her grandchildren and read stories.   She was active in her church, often using her limited funds to bake for shut-ins, new mothers and others who she felt needed a boost.

Her vision became so cloudy and blurred that she couldn't do any of the things she loved.   But a call to the Lions Lighthouse changed that.

Simple surgery returned a vibrant woman to her family, her neighborhood and her church.   Although she has no extra money, she now helps the Lighthouse by collecting used eyeglasses.

•Just being a teenager is sometimes awkward enough.   But imagine being a teenager from a poor family with a prosthetic eye that doesn't fit because you had a growth spurt.

Then imagine sitting in class, raising your hand to respond to the teacher and having your prosthetic eye pop out and fall on the floor.   Imagine the reaction of your classmates and the embarrassment you feel.

That really happened not long ago.   Fortunately, a teacher at the school knew about the Lighthouse and gave them a call.   The student was immediately approved for a new prosthetic eye.

More Information: Georgia Lions Lighthouse

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