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 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, THE PROGRAM PAID LOCAL PROVIDERS $1,584 FOR 20 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. THE ORGANIZATION DONATED TO A GROUP THAT PROVIDES OUTDOOR CAMPING EXPERIENCES FOR DISABLED YOUTH, A BATTERED WOMEN'S AND CHILDREN'S 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 ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO THE PROTECTION AND RESTORATION OF THE URBAN TREE CANOPY IN THE COMMUNITY. THE ORGANIZATION PARTICIPATED WITH OTHER LIKE ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHPUT THE STATE OF GEORGIA TO PURCHASE AND DONATE NEW LEGO KITS TO ALL GEORGIA HOSPITALS THAT HAVE PEDIATRIC CANCER CENTERS. 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, GA. 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 AND ALSO VOLUNTEERED AT THE FOOD BANK'S BIGGEST FUND RAISER, EMPTY BOWL. IN ADDITION TO ASSISTING LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, THE ORGANIZATION ALSO MADE MONETARY DONATIONS TO THREE NATIONAL CHARITABLE ENTITIES WHO PROVIDE SERVICE DOGS TO THOSE WITH VISUAL, HEARING OR OTHER PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENTS. THE ORGANIZATION HAS THE LATITUDE TO TAILOR ITS SERVICES AND DONATIONS TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME THE ORGANIZATION STRIVES TO INCLUDE IN ITS BUDGET AND VOLUNTEER EFFORTS SUPPORT OF THE 5 PRIMARY INITIATIVES OF THE PARENT ORGANIZATION. THOSE ARE VISION, DIABETES, HUNGER, ENVIRONMENT, AND CHILDHOOD CANCER.