50,000 pairs of recycled and new eye glasses were donated to the Lions Clubs
30,000 pairs of sunglasses were donated to the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired
TORONTO –To see the world clearly and effortlessly is one of life’s greatest pleasures. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 285 million people around the world are estimated to be visually impaired with 90% of them living in low-income settings.
Today, Hakim Optical, the leading Canadian independent optical retailer, announced it will donate 100,000 pairs of frames, reading glasses and sunglasses to those in need. In conjunction with its golden jubilee year, the Canadian retailer is working in partnership with the Canadian Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centre (CLERC), and has already donated over 50,000 pairs of new glasses to the organization.
“I have seen how Hakim Optical transform in the past 50 years and I know we wouldn’t be able to be here today if it wasn’t for the people. We want to give back to the people in need when possible,” said Karim Hakimi, Founder of Hakim Optical.
Hakim Optical will work with CLERC all year round to collect used eyewear of all types which will be recycled and distributed throughout the year to developing countries across Africa, the Philippines, and the Caribbean. With over 160 locations across the country accepting donations, Hakim Optical will be helping with CLERC’s mission to raise awareness and foster understanding among people for humanitarian needs by providing voluntary services through community involvement and international cooperation.
“We are extremely thankful for Hakim Optical’s support in helping us achieve our goal of raising awareness and helping the visually impaired and I look forward to many years of partnership. I would also like to take this opportunity on behalf of Lions Clubs across Canada to wish Mr. Hakimi and his wonderful team of dedicated employees the best of luck in the next 50 years,” said James Lee, Chairman of CLERC.
In addition to the 50,000 pairs of glasses, Hakim Optical also recently donated 30,000 pairs of eyewear to the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired. Founder, Karim Hakimi was affected by the plight of the people of Belize when he visited that he wanted to help change and better the community.
Mr. Hakimi touches the lives of all including his employees who are like family, as many have been with the company since the beginning. As the sole owner of the privately held optical operation, he has devoted the last 50 years to creating one of Canada’s best-known corporate brands with a simple goal of improving the vision and the ability of people to see better. The series of donation marks the beginning of Hakim Optical’s 50th anniversary celebration in Canada.
Media contact:
Sarah Zajac
PUNCH Canada
E: [email protected] T: 647-837-1268
About Hakim Optical
Established in 1967, Hakim Optical is one of Canada’s largest independent optical retail with over 500 employees across the country today. 50 years on, Hakim Optical now serves the people of Canada with 161 outlets (including 140 one hour factory outlets) across Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
About CLERC
CLERC is part of Lions Clubs International’s 19 recycling centres that are located throughout the world. Since starting operations in 2004 CLERC have donated over 3,000,000 used eye-glasses to missions, who, in turn, have given them to visually impaired individuals in 89 countries. Over the past 3 years over 100 pallets or enough glasses to fill a hockey arena have been kept out of landfills across Canada.
Photos courtesy of Canadian Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centre (CLERC)