International Association Of Lions Clubs

THE ORGANIZATION DONATES SUBSTANTIALLY ALL OF THE INCOME EARNED TO A WIDE RANGE OF LOCAL, STATE, AND NATIONAL CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDE BENEFITS AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR SIGHT OR HEARING IMPAIRED INDIVIDUALS, AS WELL AS THOSE WITH DIABETIC ISSUES AND OTHER DISABILITIES. IN ADDITION, THE ORGANIZATION OPERATED A PROGRAM WITHIN THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE VISION EXAMS, GLASSES, AND SOME SURGERIES TO NEEDY INDIVIDUALS. THE ORGANIZATION CONDUCTED A VISION SCREENING EVENT AT A LOCAL BRANCH LIBRARY, WHERE 24 INDIVIDUALS, BOTH ADULTS AND CHILDREN, WERE TESTED. 14 OF THEM FAILED THE TEST AND THE ORGANIZATION ASSISTED THEM IN APPLYING FOR ITS VISION ASSISTANCE TO RECEIVE EXAMS AND GLASSES. THE PROGRAM IS SUPPORTED AND FUNDED BY THE LIONS CLUB OF COLUMBUS, AND REDUCED COST SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY PARTNERING WITH LOCAL OPTOMETRISTS, OPHTHALMOLOGISTS, AND OPTICAL CENTERS. DURING THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, COVID-19 HAS CONTINUED TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE ABILITY OF PROVIDERS TO SEE PATIENTS, AND AGENCIES TO REFER APPLICANTS TO US FOR CONSIDERATION. COVID-19 HAS ALSO SEVERELY CURTAILED THE ORGANIZATION'S FUND RAISING EFFORTS. DESPITE THIS, THE PROGRAM PAID LOCAL PROVIDERS $1,322 FOR 15 INDIVIDUALS IN URGENT NEED OF EXAMS, GLASSES OR GLASSES REPAIRS IN ORDER TO CONTINUE THEIR EDUCATION, WORK, OR TO SIMPLY CARRY OUT DAILY FUNCTIONS. THIS INCLUDED PROVIDING SPECIAL FRAMES AND GLASSES FOR A DISABLED CHILD WHOSE NEEDS EXCEEDED WHAT MEDICAID WAS WILLING TO PAY. ADDITIONALLY, THE CLUB'S BUDGET COVERED THE $275 DEDUCTIBLE FOR AN ELDERLY PERSON TO GET HER HEARING AIDS REPLACED. THE ORGANIZATION DONATED TO A GROUP THAT PROVIDES OUTDOOR CAMPING EXPERIENCES FOR DISABLED YOUTH, A BATTERED WOMEN'S AND CHILDREN SHELTER, TWO AREA HOMELESS SHELTERS, TWO LOCAL ANIMAL SHELTERS, THE LOCAL DRUG COURT, A REGIONAL FOOD BANK, A GROUP THAT BUILDS HAND CRANKED MOBILITY CARTS FOR THE LEG-DISABLED IN SOME OF THE MOST POVERTY STRICKEN THIRD WORLD COUNTRIES AND ANOTHER GROUP WHO BUILDS BUNK BEDS WITH BEDDING FOR AREA CHILDREN WHO HAVE NO BEDS. THE ORGANIZATION HAS 20 COLLECTION BOXES SET UP THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY FOR USED GLASSES, HEARING AIDS AND CELL PHONES. THESE ITEMS ARE SORTED, BOXED, AND DELIVERED TO THE GEORGIA LIONS LIGHTHOUSE FOUNDATION FOR RECYCLING AND REUSE AS APPROPRIATE. DURING THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR, THE ORGANIZATION HAS COLLECTED APPROXIMATELY 5,000 OF THESE ITEMS AND HAS ALSO CONTRIBUTED MONETARY DONATIONS TO THE FOUNDATION TO SUPPORT ITS EYE SURGERY PROGRAM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH EMORY UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA. USED GLASSES CASES IN GOOD CONDITION AND ALL CHILDREN'S GLASSES ARE DONATED TO A LOCAL OPHTHALMOLOGIST WHO MAKES SEVERAL TRIPS TO AFRICA EACH YEAR TO PERFORM EYE SURGERIES AND FIT PATIENTS WITH GLASSES. THE ORGANIZATION PARTICIPATED IN A JOINT PROJECT WITH A LOCAL FOOD BANK TO DISTRIBUTE BOXES OF FOOD TO THOSE IN NEED IN THE CHATTAHOOCHEE VALLEY COMMUNITY. IN ADDITION TO ASSISTING LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, THIS ORGANIZATION ALSO MADE MONETARY DONATIONS TO THREE NATIONAL CHARITABLE ENTITIES WHO PROVED SERVICE DOGS TO THOSE WITH VISUAL, HEARING OR OTHER PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENTS.