A Jefferson City man and volunteers from the Concord Baptist Church recently helped 1,127 people living in some of the poorest regions of Mexico receive recycled eyeglasses during a recent trip.
Larry Merry of Jefferson City led the group of eight from the church to Mexican cities of Chiltepec, Manatial and Rodeo where they collaborated with local volunteers to give eye examinations and distribute prescription and non-prescription glasses and sunglasses to those in need.
The recycled glasses came from donations through Saving Sight, a regional nonprofit which processes glasses collected by Lions Clubs throughout Missouri. After processing, Saving Sight gives glasses to Merry and the church to place them on the faces of those who need them most.
Many of the Mexican people benefiting from the organization, including people in their elderly years, Merry said, never had an eye check-up and lived with poor eyesight.
"You almost always get a big smile," Merry said. "It's an involuntary reaction, when you find the right glasses and they put them on and they'll get a big smile. Looking around the room, their faces light up. They just get overjoyed, some of them. ... It's a very neat experience because you know you've impacted their lives in a significant way."
That was the case of a 49-year-old woman, who needed strong, "Coke bottle-type" glasses to see. In the group's September trip, a Concord Baptist volunteer helped this woman try on glasses again and again, looking for the right fit. Eventually, they discovered the perfect pair and the woman was silent.
"The lady looked up and she started to cry because she was so excited she could see for the first time in her life," Merry said. "She had a 21-year-old son she had never seen. She couldn't see past a few inches in front of her face."
Moments like that have kept Merry leading this cause since his first trip in June 2010. He and volunteers have been on 17 trips and given out more than 20,000 pairs of glasses in central and southern Mexico. Monte Shinkle, pastor at Concord Baptist Church, has participated in the past, and he said seeing the goodness of the volunteers and the appreciation of the recipients make the cause worthwhile.
"Truthfully, it is a great pleasure to sit across the table from somebody one-on-one. You may not speak their language, but you can tell what you've done for them has helped," he said. "It's made a difference because there's a light that comes on."
The next trip will be in the second week of November, and Merry said he's planning five in 2016.
Anyone wishing to donate glasses can do so in the foyer of Concord Baptist Church, located at 3724 W. Truman Blvd. in Jefferson City. A receptionist in its nearby office space will also accept donations. Those with inquiries or wishing to become involved can contact Merry via email at [email protected].