Used Eclipse Glasses – Don’t sell them, donate them

You Can Actually Do Something Good With Those Eclipse Glasses

Congratulations to those of you who used proper solar eclipse glasses and witnessed the phenomenon without permanently damaging your vision. Good job! But now you’re probably wondering what to do with those flimsy pieces of cardboard and black polymer that were basically priceless just hours ago.

Fortunately, Astronomers Without Borders has offered to take them off your hands so that children will be able to use them in future eclipses. The organization says it will soon announce a program dedicated to redistributing glasses to schools in Asia and South America, where there will be solar eclipses in 2019.

“This is an opportunity for schools to have a first-hand science experience that they might not otherwise have” Astronomers Without Borders President Mike Simmons told Gizmodo. “Many schools in developing countries don’t have resources for science education and this is a rare opportunity that inspires students and teachers and shows them that science is something they can do. It can be a ray of hope for young people who don’t otherwise see a path to a career like this.”

If you really can’t wait to get rid of your super-specs, you can send them to Astronomers Without Borders’ corporate sponsor, Explore Scientific, based at 621 Madison Street, Springdale, Arkansas.

Locally in Cheyenne Western Vista Credit Union announced today that it will serve as a collection point for used solar eclipse glasses. The non-profit group, Astronomers Without Borders, recently announced an initiative to redistribute glasses to schools in Asia and South America, where there will be solar eclipses in 2019. Glasses collected by the credit union will be sent to Astronomers Without Borders in support of this effort.

“Here at Western Vista, our motto is ‘always do the right thing,’” said Steven Leafgreen, president/CEO of the credit union. “With branches in Cheyenne and Casper, we were fortunate to be able experience the solar eclipse firsthand. We felt it was the ‘right thing’ to participate in this initiative, as it is supportive of science education for children and good for the environment.”

Western Vista Credit Union will accept eclipse glasses through September 15. Used glasses may be dropped off or mailed to any Western Vista location:
3207 Sparks Road | Cheyenne, WY 82001
1215 Storey Blvd. | Cheyenne, WY 82009
3401 Eagle Drive | Casper, WY 82601