Maggie Whittemore, 11, right, will give the gift of sight by gathering used eyeglasses while she trick-or-treats on Halloween. She is pictured with Patty Cornell, past president of the Norway/Paris Lions Club.

Paris girl giving the gift of sight

PARIS – This year, Maggie Whittemore, 11, of Paris, will collect more than candy on Halloween. She is out to help give the gift of sight by gathering used eyeglasses while she trick-or-treats.

Whittemore, with help from the Lions Club, will participate in Sight Night on Tuesday, Oct. 31. The used eyeglasses they collect will be recycled and delivered by Lions Club volunteers to people in developing countries who can’t afford them.

Sight Night is part of a national collection drive conducted annually by Give the Gift of Sight, a family of charitable vision care programs sponsored Lions Clubs International.

Patty Cornell, past president of the Norway/Paris Lions Club, and Whittemore are trying to get the word our to anyone who may have old glasses.

Whittemore said, “I am looking forward to being a part of Sight Night, knowing that what we do will help thousands of people see clearly for the first time.”

Sight Night volunteers are looking for all types of prescription and non-prescription eyeglasses and sunglasses. Children’s glasses are especially in need.

Used eyeglasses can be dropped off year-round at Pro Vision, South Paris, Western Auto, Norway, Hannaford, Oxford, or a local Lions Club. Cornell said there will be a container at Androscoggin Savings Bank in South Paris for glasses donated between now and Halloween.

For collection of glasses or to volunteer, contact Cornell at 539-4234 or Whittemore at 743-2558. To learn more, visit www.sightnight.org or call toll-free 1-877-605-4242.