For nearly a century, Lions International has stood as a beacon of hope and advocacy for individuals worldwide grappling with vision impairment and blindness. Established in 1917, the organization’s commitment to combating visual disabilities began to take center stage in 1925, following a historic challenge from Helen Keller. Since then, Lions International has tirelessly worked to improve the lives of millions, establishing itself as a global leader in eye health and vision care.
Over the decades, Lions International has developed and implemented numerous programs aimed at preventing blindness, restoring sight, and improving eye health care for individuals around the globe. These initiatives encompass a broad range of activities, including:
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SightFirst: Launched in 1990, the SightFirst program focuses on combating major causes of blindness and vision impairment. Through this initiative, Lions have raised over $415 million, funding projects that provide eye care services, build eye hospitals, train eye care professionals, and distribute treatments to prevent blindness.
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Lions Eye Banks: Lions International supports a network of eye banks that collect, process, and distribute donated corneas for transplantation. These efforts have restored sight to countless individuals who would otherwise have remained blind.
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Vision Screenings: Lions clubs around the world organize regular vision screenings in schools, community centers, and public health clinics. These screenings help identify individuals, especially children, who need corrective lenses or other eye care services.
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Eyeglass Recycling: The Lions Recycle for Sight program collects used eyeglasses, refurbishes them, and distributes them to those in need. This initiative ensures that individuals in underserved communities can access the corrective eyewear necessary for daily activities and improved quality of life.
If you would like to help out and recycle used eyeglasses, the Grand Terrace Lions Club frames collection and donation Box located at 22365 Barton Rd, Grand Terrace, CA 92313
https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/start-our-approach/club-locator/details?id=2654