Lions Club seeks eyeglass-and-device drop boxes; members raise vendor concerns about outside alcohol at events

Elaine Fisher of 508 Main Street West, speaking for the Lions Club, asked the committee to permit collection boxes for eyeglasses, hearing aids and cell phones at the community center, city hall and a downtown liquor store and to let the community know about drop-off points through social media and the Isantigram (city newsletter).

"I'd like to have them sit on a counter because if you put them on the floor, people use them as a garbage can," Fisher said, offering to be responsible for checking boxes and providing contact information for pickup.

Council members generally welcomed the idea and asked Fisher to post to the Lions' Facebook page so city staff could share the post to the city's page. Fisher said she could supply a plant stand or other elevated container if counter space is limited. One council member recommended a trial period and an update after one year to assess usage.

Separately, several Lions members raised concerns that event attendees bringing their own alcohol to the Amp It Up family-oriented events reduced beer sales by Lions volunteers. Staff noted the crowd at the Amp It Up events was more family oriented than the downtown street dances, which likely explains the difference in vendor sales; staff offered to monitor and raise the issue if vendors report harm to fundraising.

Next step: Council agreed staff could share a Lions-provided Facebook post and Fisher agreed to report back on usage after a trial period.