One
million people can see
thanks
to Calgary inmates
By Angelle Meunier
After six years of hard work, offenders at the Calgary Correctional Centre reached a major milestone. They fixed their one-millionth pair of eyeglasses for Operation Eyesight Universal on September 26, 2002.
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Kevin Griffin, a correctional services officer at the Calgary Correctional Centre, holds the one-millionth pair of glasses repaired by Calgary inmates. |
"I applaud the volunteers and the work they do with the eyeglass program," said Solicitor General Heather Forsyth. "I hope a million more people can benefit from it in the future."
The first eyeglasses were shipped in 1997 and now the one-millionth pair is on its way to Kenya, Africa. The eyeglasses are collected by the Lions Club International and delivered to the inmates to clean, repair and determine the prescription. Once complete they are shipped to an Operation Eyesight Universal facility in any of 48 countries.
The offenders volunteering with this program are rewarded with a certificate of appreciation from Operation Eyesight Universal that they can use as an employment reference upon release. Earlier this year the program was awarded a silver Premier's Award of Excellence.
