Opticare Eyewear Ltd

Ali Fazal and his wife Masuma Fazal, owners of Burnaby's North Road Optical are a long way from home; Tanzania, East Africa is just over 14,850 kilometres away or say, a 19-hour flight. The box of used glasses perched tableside at the front door makes that trip whenever the container is full.

"We initiated the Used Glasses Program 25 years ago," says Ali. "We have been collecting glasses from our customers to help people who otherwise would not have access to glasses or the means to purchase eyewear in the Philippines, India and of course, parts of Africa. Once the box is full, I'll call a few of my customers who I know visit these countries on a regular basis; otherwise, the Rotary Club will make a pick-up."