About

History

The concept behind RE-SPECS Frames for the Needy was developed in 2008 with the realization that in many countries, those who have certain health coverage are entitled to receive a new pair of glasses once a year. The question arose, "What happens to last year's glasses?" And an idea was born.

Recognizing this excellent untapped resource, RE-SPECS' founder sought a way to assist Israel's needy by collecting and channeling the glasses to them. In addition to being a worthy recycling venture whose benefit to the environment is obvious, RE-SPECS aims to ensure that vision-impaired people who are in need are able to obtain suitable eyewear at affordable prices. RE-SPECS believes that no person should live without corrective eyewear simply because he cannot afford it.

With HQ located near Raanana in the heart of the country, and additional satellite branches in the north and south, RE-SPECS benefits from the widespread support of local optometrists and spectacle retailers. These enthusiastic professionals provide assistance to RE-SPECS in terms of the sorting, adjustment, cleaning and maintenance of thousands of frames that have been donated. Additionally, they eagerly assist in the collection of pre-loved frames, as well as overstocks. RE-SPECS also enjoys the help of volunteers of all ages, including 15-16 year old youngsters offering their volunteer services for 60 hours a year, under the Social Bagrut Certificate system.

RE-SPECS works in conjunction with the Social Services branches across the country as well as local charities to channel the frames to people in need.

Since its inception, RE-SPECS has evolved from a surplus-and-used glasses collector to a service provider with a fully functioning eye clinic, providing free sight tests and affordable glasses to thousands of needy individuals referred by social services from 82 cities and towns in Israel. Targeting society’s weakest elements - low income families, those receiving food or financial aid via charities, people with disabilities, senior citizens, Holocaust survivors, terror victims, new olim with financial difficulties, single-parent families and lone soldiers - all services are provided for a nominal fee.
 
To date, RE-SPECS has received and distributed thousands of new and pre-loved frames via private donors and optometrists in Australia, the USA, South Africa, France and Israel to underprivileged families in cities such as Jerusalem, Raanana, Ramat Yishai, Bnei Brak, Hatzor Haglilit, Beit Shemesh, Netivot, Kiryat Malachi and Kiryat Yearim.