The Grand Rapids Lions Club Serving The Grand

The Grand Rapids Lions Club Serving The Grand Rapids Community since 1919

Grand Rapids Lions Club • Who are we? • What do we do? • Why do we do what we do? • What can you do to help?

The Lions: Who are we? • Founded in 1917, now world’s largest service club • In 1925, Helen Keller challenged Lions— ”Become the knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness” • A true International organization, 1. 4 million Lions in 44, 700 clubs

Lions Worldwide! • Vision 2020: A Right to Sight partners with WHO • Lions donate $722 million and over 71 million volunteer hours—equal to 34, 000 FT workers! • 25, 000 corneal transplants annually • 5. 2 million pairs of unwanted eyeglasses collected, tested and • 600, 000 glaucoma screenings ann distributed • White canes and

Lions Worldwide! • • • 3. 2 million cataract surgeries funded Built or expanded 136 eye hospitals Treated more than 36 million to prevent river blindness • Worked around the globe to make eye care a priority in many emerging nations

The Lions locally • Founded in 1919 as the Downtown Lions Club • Over 100 men & women from many walks of life • 3 Judges, 8 attorneys, 24 company presidents, 13 senior executives, 3 CPAs, 3 eye care professionals, former congressman from GR--President of the USA. • Meet every Tuesday at noon for lunch, socialization, networking and advancing the spirit of Lionism

Grand Rapids Lions: Our Mission Vision 2020: A Right to Sight Making a difference in this community through leadership and collaboration to prevent vision loss and provide resources for those with vision impairment

Grand Rapids Lions Club • Leader in founding Welcome Homes • Only retirement facility in Michigan for blind and visually impaired • Helped make Welcome Homes a statewide Lions of Michigan project

Grand Rapids Lions Club • Major Supporter of Leader Dog for the Blind in Rochester, MI • Lead effort to make a statewide project • Host the annual fundraising event • More than $1, 300, 000 raised over last 10 years

Grand Rapids Lions Club • Major financial supporter of Association for Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI) • Lions contribution supports services to over 100 ABVI clients

Grand Rapids Lions Club • South/Central America Vision Trips • Year long effort to collect used eyeglasses throughout area • Glasses are cleaned and prescription read and packaged • Lions travel, examine and prescribe 4 -5000 pairs annually

Grand Rapids Lions Club • Major funding for Cherry Street Health Services Vision program • In partnership with Grand Rapids Ophthalmology • Over 500 served with new frames & lens

Grand Rapids Lions Club • • • Lions Chair of the Michigan Eye Bank 1472 corneal transplants annually in Michigan Presentations to organizations throughout West Michigan

Grand Rapids Lions Club • Supporting Children’s Miracle Network & De. Vos Children’s Hospital • Helping visually impaired kids have a fun day with sports

Grand Rapids Lions Club • Recognizing high school seniors • Academics, community and school service and other activities • Top girl and boy from all Grand Rapids High Schools

Grand Rapids Lions Club • Habitat for Humanity project • Lions funded and built • Handicapped accessible home for a grandmother and her 14 year old grandson with cerebral palsy

Grand Rapids Lions Funding Programs • White Cane solicitation • Lions’ Rose Day • Funding from Grand Rapids Lions Foundation • Bequests and “challenge grants” • Raffles

Grand Rapids Lions Funding Programs • Drive for Vision Golf Event • Grants &Funding from Lions Clubs International Foundation

Why do we do what we do? • 6. 2% of the US population have diabetes, the #1 cause of preventable blindness • 1/3 don’t know they have the disease • 46% of the poverty level people in GR are uninsured for vision care • As many as 15, 000 individuals need glasses but can’t afford them

Why do we do what we do? • 1/20 children ages 3 -5 have a significant vision problem • 2 million adults ages 40+ have visual impairment beyond glasses

Why do we do what we do? • 35, 000 corneal transplants annually in USA but many more need help • Assisted visually impaired = productive, independent, contributing citizens

What can you do to help? • Join us—become a Grand Rapids Lion • Partner with us in our projects • Remember the Lions Foundation in your will • Fund a “Living Memorial” in your name • Outright contributions

Specific uses of our Funds • $20 will fund an eye exam & pair of single vision glasses • $40 will cover the Medicare gap for a Welcome Homes resident for one day • $190 will fund ABVI support for one visually impaired individual • $800 will send a Lion on an International Vision Mission • $38, 000 will fund a new Leader Dog and training for the user and the dog

Learn more about the Grand Rapids Lions Club www. grlions. org

The Grand Rapids Lions Club Serving The Grand Rapids Community since 1919