Reading Glasses Donation Drive: Supporting Our Unhoused Neighbors This May

As we welcome the month of May, Promise Hill Project is launching a special birthday fundraiser in honor of our founder, Lisa Arbogast.

This year, we’re focusing on something simple but essential: reading glasses (readers).

Our goal is to collect 500 reading glasses that can be distributed directly to our unhoused neighbors, helping them navigate daily life with greater clarity, independence, and confidence.

Why Reading Glasses Matter

Access to vision support is often overlooked, but for individuals experiencing homelessness, it can make a meaningful difference in everyday situations.

Here’s why reading glasses are so important:

1. Access to Information

Reading glasses help individuals read transit schedules, shelter guidelines, and public notices. Without a clear vision, even basic information becomes difficult to access.

2. Managing Daily Responsibilities

From medication instructions to identification documents, many essential tasks require the ability to read clearly. Readers make it easier to manage these responsibilities safely.

3. Job Readiness

Filling out applications, reading forms, or reviewing instructions all require clear vision. Reading glasses can support individuals as they take steps toward employment.

4. Safety and Awareness

Being able to read signs, directions, and warnings in public spaces is critical. Readers help individuals stay informed and navigate their surroundings more safely.

5. Confidence and Independence

Something as simple as being able to read without strain can restore a sense of control and independence in daily life.

A Need We’ve Seen Firsthand

Last year, one of our donors generously contributed reading glasses for distribution.

They quickly became one of the most requested and appreciated items at our outreach booth.

That experience made one thing clear: this is a need that often goes unmet, but one that has an immediate and visible impact.

Instead of general donations, we’re focusing specifically on collecting 500 reading glasses so we can continue providing practical, high-impact resources to the community we serve.

How You Can Help

We’ve made it easy to participate in this year’s drive:

1. Shop the Amazon Wishlist

We’ve created a dedicated Amazon wish list where you can purchase reading glasses for direct delivery.

This is the quickest way to contribute and ensures items reach us efficiently.

2. Make a Monetary Donation

You can also contribute by making a monetary donation on our website via the Donate Now button. During the donation process, simply choose “readers” from the dropdown menu to support this specific initiative.

3. Donate Through Facebook

Lisa will be sharing the fundraiser on Facebook, where you can contribute and help us expand the reach of this initiative.

4. Spread the Word

Sharing this fundraiser with your network helps us reach more people and collect more readers for those who need them.

Why This Initiative Matters

Reading glasses may seem like a small item, but they play a practical role in helping individuals stay informed, safe, and connected to opportunities.

They support everyday tasks that many of us take for granted, such as reading a schedule, understanding instructions, or completing a form.

By providing readers, we’re helping remove a simple but significant barrier.

Join Us This May

This birthday fundraiser is an opportunity to come together and support a need we’ve seen firsthand.

Every pair of reading glasses helps someone move through their day with greater ease and clarity.

Thank you for being part of this effort and for continuing to support the work of Promise Hill Project.