Come celebrate the new statewide eyeglass recycling center!
Ribbon cutting begins at 4:30 p.m. No cost or RSVP to attend.
Wisconsin Lions to Open First Satellite Eyeglass Processing Center in Beloit to Address National Surge in Donations
BELOIT, WI — January 6, 2026 — The Wisconsin Lions Foundation (WLF) will open its first statewide satellite eyeglass processing center at Beloit Family Eye Care (531 E. Grand Ave, Beloit, WI) on Tuesday, January 13, 2026. The public is invited to a reception at 4:30PM to witness a demonstration of the new autolensometer technology that will help maintain Wisconsin’s status as a global leader in vision missions.
Historically, Wisconsin has supplied approximately 200,000 pairs of recycled glasses annually for missions worldwide. However, following the closure of many collection sites across other states post-COVID, the Wisconsin Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center (EGRC) now receives over 1,000,000 pairs annually. This massive influx has created a critical bottleneck at the main Rosholt facility, where current processing speeds cannot keep pace with the volume of incoming donations.
The new Beloit satellite center is a direct response to this crisis. By utilizing a state-of-the-art autolensometer, the facility will allow lightly trained volunteers to quickly and accurately read prescriptions from donated glasses. This technological advancement is essential for preventing a system-wide shutdown and ensuring that Wisconsin does not lose its long-standing leadership role to other national groups.
“If the main center is forced to slow or stop intake, national groups will turn elsewhere—and we risk losing Wisconsin’s historical role in this vital service,” said Keith Mueller, Project Director of the Lion’s Eyeglass Recycling Center. “The Beloit satellite center and its new autolensometer technology are vital to keeping our inventory moving and ensuring these glasses reach the people who need them most.”
The Wisconsin Lions Foundation operates one of only 19 certified recycling centers in the world. The addition of the Beloit satellite center represents a critical expansion of the state’s capacity to serve developing nations and domestic groups in need.
