Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does RE-SPECS Frames for the Needy do?
How does RE-SPECS help the needy?
If I donate to RE-SPECS, where does the money go?
How are you different from Lions International and Vision Aid Overseas?
Are there frames that are unsuitable for re-use?
Who donates glasses to RE-SPECS?
Wouldn't it be easier just to buy the glasses?
In what areas of Israel is RE-SPECS active?
I'd like to volunteer with RE-SPECS. Could you use my help?
Don't glasses go out of fashion?
What percentage of the pre-loved glasses donated to RE-SPECS are usable?
How much does RE-SPECS save for the average beneficiary?
Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy frames for $20 online?
Do you give the glasses out for free?
Aren't pre-loved frames icky to touch? Don't they have bacteria on them?
I'd like to help but I don't live in Israel. How can I contribute?
What does RE-SPECS Frames for the Needy do?
We rescue unwanted glasses frames in order to recycle them for people in need. These can often be obtained from optometrists – who provide used or even new, surplus frames – or from private donors, consumers like you who have used frames to donate.
- Back to Top -
How does RE-SPECS help the needy?
We channel rescued frames to people in need through the assistance of the Social Services and through a variety of charity organizations. Working in conjunction with local optometrists, we strive to restore frames that are salvageable so that they are in first-class condition. This is vital so that underprivileged people are receiving pre-loved merchandise intended to last well and worthy of new lenses.
- Back to Top -
If I donate to RE-SPECS, where does the money go?
We welcome all contributions. The funds are used to cover shipping costs, restoration costs and distribution costs.
- Back to Top -
How are you different from Lions International and Vision Aid Overseas?
Actually, we are similar but different. Both of these organizations share in the wonderful work of helping people in developing countries have access to eye examinations, quality eye care and correct eyewear. Where RE-SPECS fills the gap is in assisting people in Israel who would otherwise be overlooked. Israel, known for being advanced in technological, economic and industrial development, unfortunately has its lion's share of underprivileged citizens. With over 20% of the population living below the poverty line, the time has come to address one of their most fundamental necessities – suitable eyewear that they can afford.
- Back to Top -
Are there frames that are unsuitable for re-use?
Yes and no. Our trained team of volunteers inspect each and every glasses frame that is donated. Those that are suitable for recycling (re-use by another person) are cleaned, stored and then delivered at a convenient time to poor people in various communities. This is often achieved through the assistance of other charity organizations. Those that are unfortunately beyond repair are salvaged for their accessories – screws, nose pieces, temple tips – or for their scrap metal, plastic or glass content.
- Back to Top -
Who donates glasses to RE-SPECS?
We have forged positive connections with numerous optometrists and communities across the globe. From Australia to France to the United States, people have recognized the value of recycling one of the simplest commodities, glasses.
- Back to Top -
Wouldn't it be easier just to buy the glasses?
Perhaps. But we greatly value the benefit to the environment of rescuing otherwise unwanted frames that sometimes lie dusty for years in drawers and closets. We believe in recycling wherever possible and are completely unfazed by a task that could be viewed as "difficult." And of course, if we did buy the glasses, we'd be paying an average $100-200 a pair.
- Back to Top -
In what areas of Israel is RE-SPECS active?
We are branching out all the time. To date, we have been active in Netivot, Raanana, Kiryat Yearim, Beit Shemesh, and more.
- Back to Top -
I'd like to volunteer with RE-SPECS. Could you use my help?
We sure can! Volunteers are needed all the time for glasses collection and venture promotion. If you are interested in promoting glasses collection in your community, please contact us. Similarly, if you know optometrists that you can approach, let us know. Our optometrist supporters will deservedly receive credit on our website.
- Back to Top -
Don't glasses go out of fashion?
That depends. What's fashionable for one person is not always fashionable for another and vice versa. We reach out to a variety of cultural groups and age brackets and we find that any glasses frame has potential, no matter how "out-of-style" you might think it is.
- Back to Top -
What percentage of the pre-loved glasses donated to RE-SPECS are usable?
Figures vary from community to community but overall, 60-80% of glasses can be reused for another person.
- Back to Top -
How much does RE-SPECS save for the average beneficiary?
With the average cost of new frames ranging from $100-200, we know that we are saving people a significant expense. Designer frames can cost up to about $500, and we are pleased to say that we often receive such frames, pre-loved, for a needy person. So their saving is considerable.
- Back to Top -
Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy frames for $20 online?
Possibly, but buying online is not viable for everyone and what we do is provide a service which is para-medical. We offer eye tests by licensed optometrists and long-term service for their eye needs, which you can’t get online.
- Back to Top -
Do you give the glasses out for free?
No, but almost. We ask beneficiaries to donate, where possible, a nominal $5 for a frame, regardless of its brand and regardless whether it is new or pre-loved. Thus, they are able to obtain a pair of Ray Ban's, Gucci's or D&G's for $5 and to feel that they have actually "paid" for it. Contrary to popular perception, even the poorest of people have a sense of self-respect and would rather pay $5 than get a freebie.
- Back to Top -
Aren't pre-loved frames icky to touch? Don't they have bacteria on them?
Possibly, and this is why we make it a policy to clean each and every frame using sterilizing equipment, since we can't afford to pass on to a needy person anything less than hygienic merchandise.
- Back to Top -
I'd like to help but I don't live in Israel. How can I contribute?
First, RE-SPECS Frames for the Needy depends on financial contributions to rescue glasses. It is a multi-national venture that can only be achieved through supporters such as yourselves who are able to assist in the costs of shipping and delivery. Whereas we seek to promote recycling and green environment awareness, we know that this can only be supported via financial contributions. These shipping costs would be no less if poor people could afford their own, brand-new frames anyway.
Second, RE-SPECS welcomes your efforts to collect used frames in your community. If you wish to start such an initiative, please feel free to contact us.
- Back to Top -
How does RE-SPECS help the needy?
If I donate to RE-SPECS, where does the money go?
How are you different from Lions International and Vision Aid Overseas?
Are there frames that are unsuitable for re-use?
Who donates glasses to RE-SPECS?
Wouldn't it be easier just to buy the glasses?
In what areas of Israel is RE-SPECS active?
I'd like to volunteer with RE-SPECS. Could you use my help?
Don't glasses go out of fashion?
What percentage of the pre-loved glasses donated to RE-SPECS are usable?
How much does RE-SPECS save for the average beneficiary?
Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy frames for $20 online?
Do you give the glasses out for free?
Aren't pre-loved frames icky to touch? Don't they have bacteria on them?
I'd like to help but I don't live in Israel. How can I contribute?
What does RE-SPECS Frames for the Needy do?
We rescue unwanted glasses frames in order to recycle them for people in need. These can often be obtained from optometrists – who provide used or even new, surplus frames – or from private donors, consumers like you who have used frames to donate.
- Back to Top -
How does RE-SPECS help the needy?
We channel rescued frames to people in need through the assistance of the Social Services and through a variety of charity organizations. Working in conjunction with local optometrists, we strive to restore frames that are salvageable so that they are in first-class condition. This is vital so that underprivileged people are receiving pre-loved merchandise intended to last well and worthy of new lenses.
- Back to Top -
If I donate to RE-SPECS, where does the money go?
We welcome all contributions. The funds are used to cover shipping costs, restoration costs and distribution costs.
- Back to Top -
How are you different from Lions International and Vision Aid Overseas?
Actually, we are similar but different. Both of these organizations share in the wonderful work of helping people in developing countries have access to eye examinations, quality eye care and correct eyewear. Where RE-SPECS fills the gap is in assisting people in Israel who would otherwise be overlooked. Israel, known for being advanced in technological, economic and industrial development, unfortunately has its lion's share of underprivileged citizens. With over 20% of the population living below the poverty line, the time has come to address one of their most fundamental necessities – suitable eyewear that they can afford.
- Back to Top -
Are there frames that are unsuitable for re-use?
Yes and no. Our trained team of volunteers inspect each and every glasses frame that is donated. Those that are suitable for recycling (re-use by another person) are cleaned, stored and then delivered at a convenient time to poor people in various communities. This is often achieved through the assistance of other charity organizations. Those that are unfortunately beyond repair are salvaged for their accessories – screws, nose pieces, temple tips – or for their scrap metal, plastic or glass content.
- Back to Top -
Who donates glasses to RE-SPECS?
We have forged positive connections with numerous optometrists and communities across the globe. From Australia to France to the United States, people have recognized the value of recycling one of the simplest commodities, glasses.
- Back to Top -
Wouldn't it be easier just to buy the glasses?
Perhaps. But we greatly value the benefit to the environment of rescuing otherwise unwanted frames that sometimes lie dusty for years in drawers and closets. We believe in recycling wherever possible and are completely unfazed by a task that could be viewed as "difficult." And of course, if we did buy the glasses, we'd be paying an average $100-200 a pair.
- Back to Top -
In what areas of Israel is RE-SPECS active?
We are branching out all the time. To date, we have been active in Netivot, Raanana, Kiryat Yearim, Beit Shemesh, and more.
- Back to Top -
I'd like to volunteer with RE-SPECS. Could you use my help?
We sure can! Volunteers are needed all the time for glasses collection and venture promotion. If you are interested in promoting glasses collection in your community, please contact us. Similarly, if you know optometrists that you can approach, let us know. Our optometrist supporters will deservedly receive credit on our website.
- Back to Top -
Don't glasses go out of fashion?
That depends. What's fashionable for one person is not always fashionable for another and vice versa. We reach out to a variety of cultural groups and age brackets and we find that any glasses frame has potential, no matter how "out-of-style" you might think it is.
- Back to Top -
What percentage of the pre-loved glasses donated to RE-SPECS are usable?
Figures vary from community to community but overall, 60-80% of glasses can be reused for another person.
- Back to Top -
How much does RE-SPECS save for the average beneficiary?
With the average cost of new frames ranging from $100-200, we know that we are saving people a significant expense. Designer frames can cost up to about $500, and we are pleased to say that we often receive such frames, pre-loved, for a needy person. So their saving is considerable.
- Back to Top -
Wouldn't it be cheaper to buy frames for $20 online?
Possibly, but buying online is not viable for everyone and what we do is provide a service which is para-medical. We offer eye tests by licensed optometrists and long-term service for their eye needs, which you can’t get online.
- Back to Top -
Do you give the glasses out for free?
No, but almost. We ask beneficiaries to donate, where possible, a nominal $5 for a frame, regardless of its brand and regardless whether it is new or pre-loved. Thus, they are able to obtain a pair of Ray Ban's, Gucci's or D&G's for $5 and to feel that they have actually "paid" for it. Contrary to popular perception, even the poorest of people have a sense of self-respect and would rather pay $5 than get a freebie.
- Back to Top -
Aren't pre-loved frames icky to touch? Don't they have bacteria on them?
Possibly, and this is why we make it a policy to clean each and every frame using sterilizing equipment, since we can't afford to pass on to a needy person anything less than hygienic merchandise.
- Back to Top -
I'd like to help but I don't live in Israel. How can I contribute?
First, RE-SPECS Frames for the Needy depends on financial contributions to rescue glasses. It is a multi-national venture that can only be achieved through supporters such as yourselves who are able to assist in the costs of shipping and delivery. Whereas we seek to promote recycling and green environment awareness, we know that this can only be supported via financial contributions. These shipping costs would be no less if poor people could afford their own, brand-new frames anyway.
Second, RE-SPECS welcomes your efforts to collect used frames in your community. If you wish to start such an initiative, please feel free to contact us.
- Back to Top -
