Donate Your Eclipse Glasses To Benefit Children In Latin America

New Yorkers lucky enough to witness the spectacular solar eclipse of April 8, 2024, now have an opportunity to extend the impact of this celestial event with others.

Instead of letting your eclipse glasses collect dust or end up in landfills, New Yorkers can participate in a meaningful initiative benefitting children in Latin America.

There's a wonderful program in place that collects used eclipse glasses and sends them to countries within the path of future eclipses. By donating your eclipse glasses, you can help children in Latin American countries safely experience the upcoming eclipse scheduled for August. It's a way to ensure that these kids have the necessary eyewear without having to purchase new glasses for a single-use event.

This program is made possible through the efforts of the international organization Astronomers Without Borders (AWB). Since 2017, AWB has collected millions of glasses and distributed them to underserved communities around the world. Their goal is to minimize eclipse waste and provide as many people as possible with the opportunity to safely view this celestial phenomenon.

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To take part in this initiative, simply drop off your eclipse glasses at the Shops of 607 at 4416 Watson Boulevard in Johnson City. The glasses will then be sent to the appropriate destination, as long as they are received within the next week.

If you would rather mail your glasses yourself, they can be sent by August 1 to: Eclipse Glasses USA, LLC, PO Box 50571, Provo, Utah, 84605.

Additionally, if you're a business or organization also interested in collecting used solar eclipse glasses in your local community, you should reach out to Astronomers Without Borders.

Every pair of gently used eclipse glasses will make a difference in the lives of these children and what a special thing that we can do to recycle our solar eclipse glasses to help children in Latin America experience the awe-inspiring magic of an eclipse and make lasting memories.