VOSH Northwest

Our primary mission of VOSH-Northwest (a Chapter of VOSH-International) is to facilitate the provision of vision care worldwide to people who can neither afford nor obtain such care. The VOSH-Northwest Chapter covers the states of Washington, Idaho, Alaska and Oregon but boasts membership throughout the United States and the world. We are a registered non-profit and provide all care free of charge.

Our members give their time and skill to deliver vision care to people in need throughout the world.  Most of the emphasis has been on developing countries where need is the greatest.  VOSH was founded in 1972 by Dr. Franklin Harms in Kansas who began to collect a library of used eyeglasses and distribute them in areas of the world where eye care is unavailable.  VOSH Northwest was established in 1981 and has since conducted over 53 missions to 14 countries and provided services to over 300,000 patients. During that time, we have donated over $11 million in medicine, equipment, and supplies to the continents of Central and South America, Asia, Africa, and impoverished areas of the United States.  Members volunteer locally in Western Washington at free clinics including the King County Clinic, UpLift NW, the Union Gospel Mission, and in collaboration with the Lions Club multiple times per year. 

In conjunction with the utilization of recycled glasses, VOSH Northwest has also begun to custom fabricate lenses to fit the needs of patients with non-typical prescriptions. Recent international missions include Uganda, Mexico and Nepal. Volunteers are needed for local work, as well to travel on missions to spread the gift of site.