As we start to abandon our old 2022 habits and revamp our 2023 selves (or at least try to), we may leave many things behind. A lot of our stuff may get pushed to the side to collect dust, as we make way for new things for our new selves in the new year. However, another 2023 goal may be to repurpose the old, instead of throwing it out or pushing it to the side. Or possibly being able to give our old things for a much greater cause than “new year, new me”.

Recently, Hunterdon Central’s Key Club hosted a glasses drive in partnership with Flemington’s Lions Club. Similarly, both Lions and Key Club are international service organizations with local chapters here. Lions Club International is the world’s largest service club, serving over 200 countries with over 1.4 million members. Locally, the Flemington location focuses primarily on ocular health with some of their state projects including the South Jersey Eye Center, St. Joseph’s School for the Blind, Lions Eye Bank of Delaware Valley, Eye Institute of New Jersey, and many more. Internationally, Key Club has thousands of clubs in 38 countries. Their core values are leadership, character building, caring, and inclusiveness, which is more than evident in their global missions (such as their partnership with the Thirst Project and Unicef) and their yearly 18.5 million service hours and $100 million raised. Hunterdon Central’s Key Club focuses on service and volunteering all around. In fact, their mission statement says to “Provide our members with opportunities to serve, build character, and develop leadership.” Elena Luo, one of Key Club’s officers, says some of their service projects include “the food pantry…making cute little crafts and games for children through the food pantry…working with local middle and elementary schools (For example, we volunteer at schools if they have a game night)…[and partnering] with Hunterdon Medical Center to host a multigenerational event where senior citizens were able to spend time with high schoolers.” Both clubs, internationally and locally, are dedicated to serving their community, making them a great power couple for the drive. 

The glasses drive recycles old glasses brought in by its members. “After the glasses are collected, they will be sent to our regional recycling center to be cleaned and repackaged for various missions,” Elena explains. The glasses are essentially given a second life, and allow those in need not to spend a cent. Even the glasses will say “new year, new me”.

Additionally, Key Club’s effects reach further than just those who serve, as well. Paola Montes, a freshman club member says “[Key Club] is amazing because it can suit lots of different people to accomplish the same goal. Every other week there is a meeting during tutorial where we do a fun project, and there are several after-school projects, often associated with LoveFlemington.Org and the Family Success Center, among others.” Even as a freshman, she’s found that the club has given positive experiences to both her and those Key Club serves. Especially after the pandemic, she is able to reach out and involve herself in the community in ways she couldn’t before. She realizes that with every service project she does, every new friend she makes, and every laugh shared, she finds a piece of herself in those moments. 

Hunterdon Central’s Key Club and Flemington’s Lions Club’s dedication to service adds a much-needed sense of community after years of mute buttons, waiting rooms, and bedroom ceilings. The glasses drive is simply one project that gives old glasses new missions, and is a small step to a much larger change. 2023 may be the year of giving after a year of pain and healing. It might just start with picking up your old glasses and putting them in a donation bin.