The Lions Club is now an officially chartered organization in Mountain View, and for one of its first acts of philanthropy, the local chapter is asking residents to donate eyeglasses for people in need.

Club president Hugh Donagher said in an e-mail that his chapter, already 22 members strong, has organized "Eyeglass Recycling Days." Until Oct. 2, residents can place eyeglasses in "zipper style" plastic bags and place them on top of recycling bins for Foothill Disposal to collect. The glasses will be distributed by the club around the world.

Lions Club International, which oversees 45,000 clubs with 1.3 million members nationwide, approved a charter on Aug. 12 for the Mountain View Silicon Valley Lions Club. Julie Nourieh was selected as secretary, Trevor Salman as treasurer and John Bodo as membership director.

In other activities, the local club partnered with the Kiwanis Club to fill backpacks with school supplies for local low-income students.

To contact the group, e-mail info@siliconvalleylions.org, call (650) 720-5679 or visit www.siliconvalleylions.com.

— Daniel DeBolt

Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.