Since 1917, Lions clubs have offered people the opportunity to give
something back to their communities. From involving members in
projects as local as cleaning up an area park or as far-reaching
as bringing sight to the world's blind, Lions clubs have always
embraced those committed to building a brighter future for their
community.
Today with more than 46,000 clubs in 202 countries and geographical
areas, Lions have expanded their focus to help meet the
ever-increasing needs of our global community.
Our programs are continually changing to meet new needs and greater
demands, but our mission has never wavered: "We
Serve"
We Serve - Over 1.3 million Lions members in 202 countries and geographic
areas answer the needs that challenge the communities of the
world. Lions tackle tough problems like blindness, drug abuse
prevention and diabetes awareness.
Global Neighbours - Lions members—men and women—provide immediate and
sustained relief in time of disaster and offer long-term
assistance to those in need. Lions collect and recycle
eyeglasses for distribution in developing countries and treat
millions of people to prevent river blindness.
Community Leaders -
Lions improve the quality of life in their local communities by
building parks, supporting hospitals and establishing water
treatment programs.
For 90 years, whenever there is a need at home or around the world,
Lions members are there to help—We Serve
Service To Others
Lions clubs are recognized for their service to the blind and
visually impaired. This service began when Helen Keller
challenged Lions to become "knights of the blind in the
crusade against darkness" during the 1925 Lions Clubs
International Convention.
Today,
Lions extend their commitment to sight conservation through
countless local efforts, as well as through their international
SightFirst Program and Lions World Sight Day, a global
partnership of United Nations agencies, eye care and
philanthropic organizations and health professionals, held the
second Thursday of each October to increase awareness of the
need to eradicate blindness. Lions also collect and recycle
eyeglasses for distribution in developing countries year-round
and especially during May, which is Lions Recycle for Sight
Month.
In
addition, Lions make a strong commitment to young people through
youth outreach programs. Lions also work to improve the
environment, build homes for the disabled, support diabetes
education, conduct hearing programs and, through their
foundation, provide disaster relief around the world.
Based
on a recent report of Lions clubs worldwide, it is estimated
that each year Lions clubs donate approximately US$506 million
and 71 million hours, which is equivalent to 34,000 people
working full time for a year.
Sight First
In
1990, Lions established SightFirst, a US$143.5 million global
initiative to fight the major causes of preventable and
reversible blindness. The unprecedented program joins Lions
volunteers with blindness prevention experts and organizations
and governments. SightFirst has:
provided
more than 3.4 million cataract surgeries
built
or expanded 154 eye hospitals
supported
more than 47 million treatments to prevent river blindness
improved
eye care in 78 countries around the world.
Lions
clubs support other sight-related activities.Lions clubs
and members:
provide
600,000 free professional glaucoma screenings and make
25,000 corneal transplants possible each year
establish
and support a majority of the world's eye banks, hundreds of
clinics, hospitals and eye research centres worldwide
collect
more than 6 million pairs of used eyeglasses annually for
free distribution to those in need in developing countries
offer
screenings, eyeglasses and sports goggles to athletes
through the Special Olympics-Lions Clubs International
Opening Eyes Program
provide
free quality eye care, eyeglasses, Braille-writers, large
print texts, white canes and guide dogs for thousands of
people each year.
