The Lions – What We Do…
For more than 75 years, Lions have been recognized throughout the world for their service to the blind and visually impaired. Back in 1925, when Helen Keller challenged the Lions to become “Knights of the Blind,” she could not have possibly imagined the impact of Lions commitment to blindness prevention.

One such project is SightFirst. Lions launched SightFirst in 1990 as an aggressive attack on the rising tide of blindness around the world. Forty million people are blind, yet 80 percent of all blindness is preventable or reversible.

Developed as a bold response to the World Health Organization’s prediction that the number of people who are blind would double in 25 years, SightFirst works to close the gap between existing abd needed health care services.

After raising more than $140 million in funds raised through a major, three-year fundraising drive, Lions have initiated SightFirst programs in more than 40 countries on five continents. Lions have joined with governments, ophthalmic professionals and other organizations to help establish long-term solutions in health care infrastructure, training of health care professionals, treatment and public education.

In addition we support the Lions Clubs International Foundation. Incorporated in 1968, Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) is the charitable arm of the organization. Through gifts to LCIF, Lions serve a broader community than would otherwise be possible. Lions have reached out across all borders: to purchase equipment for an eye bank in western Korea ... to construct a hospice for children with disabilities in France...and to fund treatment for diabetic eye disease in Newfoundland, Canada.

LCIF has approved more than $200 million in grants. This includes grants for the SightFirst Program, humanitarian services, disaster relief and vocational assistance.

The foundation receives contributions from Lions and others, reaffirming the strong belief that many people working together can achieve more than individuals acting alone.

Making a Difference Here in Ohio
The work of Lions can be seen both around the world and here at home. In 1952 the Lions Clubs of Ohio established the Ohio Lions Eye Research Foundation to fund eyesight research projects at the major Ohio universities. Seed money from this foundation has helped in funding a range of breakthroughs in the fight against blindness.

In District 13J the individual Lions Clubs support a variety of community programs, such as vision screening in local schools, providing free eye exams and glasses to those who can’t afford them. Our clubs also support other projects tailored to our individual communities, such as college scholarships, youth sports programs, food baskets for the needy, and community parks and playgrounds.