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COLERC - 1st Quarter Report 2025-2026
 
 
First Quarter 2025-26 Year
 
Volunteer Engagement at COLERC
In the first quarter of the 2025-26 year, volunteer hours at COLERC improved significantly, registering a 37 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Despite this growth, volunteer hours remain the primary constraint affecting COLERC's operations.
 
During this period, a total of 793 volunteer hours were contributed by various clubs and organizations. The following groups each volunteered at least one session:
 
  • Adams Centennial
  • Arvada
  • Centennial Airport
  • Lafayette
  • Louisville
  • Highlands Ranch
  • Rock Canyon Leos
  • Thornton
  • Chatfield
  • Denver Den
 
 
 

Additional Volunteer Contributions

The Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Colorado continued their commitment by volunteering monthly. Lion Gina Gates (Thornton) facilitated additional support by bringing nine co-workers from MesaLabs in Lakewood to volunteer. Littleton Boy Scout Troop 345 also contributed their time and efforts. Furthermore, Lion Avery Lyons (Golden) reached out to COLERC and has plans to volunteer 100 hours.
 
COLERC is actively reaching out to non-Lion groups to encourage further volunteer involvement. Any groups interested in volunteering are invited to send an email to colerc.foundation@gmail.com.
 
Satellite Engagement at COLERC
COLERC received the following processed glasses from satellites:
 
Satellite
Processed Pairs
Pueblo
2140
Woodland Park
800
Golden
200
 
 
 
Distribution of glasses by COLERC
 
Mission Groups
11 groups
9740 Pairs
Discarded
ReSpecs
5 Pallets
Special Brands
Missouri
29 Boxes
 
 
In July, the new commercial dishwasher was installed and has significantly enhanced the capacity to wash and sanitize glasses. The business that donates space to COLERC (Set the Stage, Lion Nancy Hopper) had to repair a sewer pipe that services the bathrooms. COLERC Board decided to share the cost of the repair with Set the Stage at a total cost of $4,250 reflected in the Utilities line item of the financials below. MD6 Council decided to transfer the balance of the Used Eyeglass Fund ($10,300) from the Colorado Lions Foundation to COLERC. Those funds are reflected in the Other Income line item below. 
 
CLICK HERE to print the full 1st quarter report, including financials.
 
CLICK HERE to print the annual report 2024-25
COLERC - 1st Quarter Report 
Coloreado Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center  1ST Quarter Lions Year 2025-2026
 
One of the requirements of being an official LERC is to file quarterly reports to LCI. 
 
Summary.  Full detailed report including financials.   CLICK HERE.
 
Volunteer Engagement
  • 37% increase in volunteer hours
  • 10 Clubs volunteered at least one session or a total of 793 hours
  • Some clubs volunteer regularly
  • Other organizations have volunteered, such as the Retired Peace Corps, Mesa Labs, and the Boy Scouts.
Satellite Engagement.
  • Pueblo, Woodland Park, Nob Hill, and Golden clubs have four lens analyzers
  • They have processed 3140 eyeglasses to add to the inventory.
Distribution of glasses by COLERC
  • 9740 glasses to 11 Vision campaign groups
  • 5 pallets (500 lbs each) of unusable glasses to a recycler in California.
  • 29 Boxes of specialty glasses to a recycler in Missouri
COLERC - Lens Analyzer Loaner Program
Lens Analyzer Loaner Program   (LALP)
 
We are trying to determine the interests of Colorado Lions Clubs in a Lens Analyzer Loaner Program (LALP).  The concept: COLERC would loan a lens analyzer to a club for up to 60 days to process the eyeglasses they collect. Then, return the equipment, along with the processed eyeglasses.
The goal of the program is to:
  • Increase the ability of Colorado Lions to provide used eyeglasses to worldwide vision campaigns.
  • Provide more Clubs with traditional Lions SERVICE activity.
COLERC would provide:
  • Automatic lens analyzer.  Easy to use.
  • Supplies: Wash bags, printer tape, drying towels, and bags.
  • Training in the process
  • No cost to the Club.
If your Club is interested in this program, contact COLERC at colerc.foundation@gmail.com
COLERC - History
The Lions Eyeglass Recycling Program, which began in the late 20th century, was a grassroots effort to collect, sort, and redistribute used eyeglasses to individuals in need worldwide. The program was recognized and expanded by Lions Club International in the 1980s, with volunteer club members establishing formal recycling centers across the United States and other countries. The program established standardized processing and packaging of the recycled eyeglasses. 
 
There are now 13 Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers (LERC) in the US and another 7 worldwide. It is even more impressive that MD6 is one of 60 Lions Multiple Districts that has an LERC.
 
Colorado Lions are proud that COLERC is the newest official LERC in 20 years. 
COLERC NEWSLETTER 
The Colorado Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center (COLERC) is a significant project for the Colorado Lions.  We are using this newsletter to keep all Lions informed on COLERC.  You will be receiving this newsletter. Please share this with your members. If you want others to receive this newsletter, send us their name and email. See the end of the newsletter if you want to unsubscribe. 
 
We will keep the newsletter concise (2-3 pages) with pictures and a quick, easy-to-read format.  
COLERC CONTACTS
The COLERC Committee
  • Dwight Steen - Denver Lions                  dwight.steen@gmail.com         303-653-8780
  • Carol Young - Arvada Lions                   cayoung7@hotmail.com            970-232-8548
  • John Spice - Golden Lions                      spicejk713@gmail.com             303-949-1046
  • Dave Newman - Englewood Lions         doctordave@usa.net                  720-209-0129
  • Fletcher Brown - Denver Lions               brownsinco@gmail.com             303.619.8486
Colorado Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center - COLERC
4605 Monaco Street, Denver, CO 80216
See the website for driving instructions
 
WWW.COLERC.ORG
 
Email:   COLERC.FOUNDATION@GMAIL.COM
 
The Colorado Lions Impact 100,000 People Each Year