Once the new board was elected a few months ago we had a Zoom meeting. During the meeting Tom Younkin suggested that maybe the club should embark on a binocular drive to give to pass out to underprivileged kids. Well, needless to say, everyone of us wish we came up with that idea. The plan was to collect used binoculars and get them into the hands of kids that show an interest in birding.
What I truly like about Tom's project is the binoculars will go straight into the hands of kids that like nature. They aren't going to a school where kids can use them twice in a week never to be seen until the following year. Instead kids will receive these binoculars to keep forever. They will make a real difference. Just like fishing kept me out of trouble and gave me something to do as a teenager, these binoculars will do the same.
Tom is working with April Alex who works with Providence youth to distribute the binoculars. As of now thirty three pair have been collected. What I love about this project is it doesn't cost anyone anything. Almost all of us have used binoculars. Many of us have more than one pair as we got more obsessed with the hobby we almost always upgrade to the next best pair we can afford. Usually these "has-beens" are still in fine shape without even a scratch on them Where do they end up? In a spare room, or in a box with other older optics or technology. Giving them to these kids gives them a new life. They will get used and will be appreciated by kids that really want to use them.
Like I said, I think everyone on the board wished they came up with the idea. Tom has worked hard collecting the binoculars. If you have any binoculars that you are not using anymore that are just collecting dust, please consider donating them. If you choose to donate a pair, they can be dropped off at Wild Birds Unlimited. The address is 1000 Bald Hill Rd, Warwick, RI. The store is in the same plaza as Trader Joe's. A pair of binoculars really could make a difference in a kid's life.
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