Georgetown Lions Project KidSight
Lions KidSight USA Foundation History and Origin
Hurricane Ian LCIF Relief for Florida
Harvey Irene
LCIF and/vs LCI Briefly Explained
Georgetown Lions Project KidSight
The Georgetown Lions Club is proud of its contribution to the community by being a provider for Lions Project KidSight vision screening.
Lions Project KidSight is a free vision screening program for children from ages six months to five years, and up to age twelve, that local Lions Club volunteers conduct periodically throughout the year. Working with local schools, Lions KidSight screening can provide information used by the schools to recommend specific students seek a professional eye exam.
Early vision screening can provide significant long term benefits for children. Vision problems are prevalent in 25% of all school children in the U.S. Some problems that can permanently affect vision are best treated at an early age. By the time children enter school the treatment may not be as effective and can be more costly.
On a national level, 7-15% of kids screened are referred for a follow-up exam by an eye-care professional. This can prevent eventual blindness, and can help remediate other serious issues.
Research has indicated that:
- If caught early, 95% of vision issues can be corrected
- 80% of what children learn by age 12 is visually acquired
- 70% of juvenile delinquents have a vision issue
- 80% of children diagnosed with a learning disability have an undiagnosed vision problem
Conditions which are checked for include:
|
Anisometropia |
difference in eye strength |
|
Hyperopia |
farsightedness |
|
Corneal reflexes |
asymmetric vision |
|
Astigmatism |
blurred vision |
|
Myopia |
nearsightedness |
|
Anisocoria |
unequal pupils |
|
Cancer |
Cancer |
|
Cataracts |
Cataracts |
|
Strabismus |
cross or wander out |
Lions KidSight USA Foundation History and Origin
The beginnings of the Lions KidSight USA Foundation International Board took root in the late 1990s, when the first generation of analog vision-screening technology was starting to flourish. The board was officially formed with members appointed in 2014.
Since that time, the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) has awarded significant grant funding to start up a dozen statewide programs. Our friends at the Tennessee Lions Children’s Eye Center (Vanderbilt Univ.), the University of Iowa Ophthalmology Department, University of Colorado and Indiana University were all instrumental in making this next-generation digital vision-screening technology possible.
The Lions Clubs International commitment to sight preservation took root in the early 1920s when Helen Keller called upon Lions Clubs International members to “Be the Knights of the Blind”.
Additional information about KidSight is available at:
Lions Project KidSight program: https://www.lionskidsightusa.org/aboutus and
General importance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCweMRAPb0k
Hurricane Ian LCIF Relief for Florida
LCIF Grant Staff had a meeting with Area E (which includes Florida and Puerto Rico) LCIF Coordinators, FL Lions, and other state officials on Monday 10/10/2022 to assess the situation. As one would expect, FEMA and/or other “First Responder” relief agencies act and go in before Lions.
Assessments are a requirement before any type of funding can be sent.
Early on, many roads are still not accessible, and boats are being used for Search & Recovery, which had precedence.
LCIF advises have been in constant communications with LCIF Area Leaders in FL, the Carolinas, & Puerto Rico. The area leaders over FL also have all the islands south of there. Which all had major destruction.
When a Major grant of $100,000 is granted that usually goes to the MD for distribution as needed. Additional LCIF aid comes from smaller grants, usually requested by the District Governors, and they are required to submit a plan with their grant application which includes explaining the current relief efforts being implemented by the community, the government, relief agencies and other local Lions. This helps assure funds will be applied in the areas of critical need.
Even with the passage of time, please feel assured that LCIF will be providing money and assistance as soon as possible to ALL those in need – and there are many.“
All Lions should know that the best thing to do now is to use the Link below to donate!
Donations – send them in and they will be used https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/donate.
Information about LCIF responses to earlier hurricanes:
Harvey 31 August 2017 https://www.lionsclubs.org/it/node/12281
Irene 28 August 2011 https://temp.lionsclubs.org/all/pdfs/press-releases/2011-08-29-lcif-hurricane-irene.pdf
LCIF Grant applications and more info can be found here: https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/lcif-grants-toolkit#mod10
LCIF and/vs LCI Briefly Explained
Most people and many Lions do not understand how the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) works, and how it differs from Lions Clubs International (LCI). Since just ONE of LCIF’s several focus areas is helping in disasters, maybe now is a good time explain.
LCI
International Lions Clubs (LCI frequently called Lions Clubs International) which is a 501(c)(4) tax-exempt social welfare organization and is not eligible to accept or solicit charitable donations.
The purpose of LCI is (in my terms):
To support and unite individual, local community, Lions clubs in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding as they engage in local activities and projects to support their local communities. Officially: (https://www.lionsclubs.org/en/discover-our-clubs/purpose-and-ethics) :
LCIF
LCIF is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt public charitable organization with a long and rich hostory “associated with” and operationally supported by LCI. LCIF is eligible to accept and solicit charitable donations. Therefore, LCIF and LCI are separate companies with a business relationship. Both are registered businesses by the Secretary of State in Illinois.
The LCIF Board of Trustees is made up of a variety of about twenty-two LCI proven leaders, and generally consists of IP, 1st IVP, 2nd IVP, 3rd IVP, 7 CA Representatives, 6 Representatives from large membership countries, Immediate past LCIF Chairperson, Past LCIF Chair Person, and two Board appointed persons. Each year LCIF designates specific areas of need which will be that year’s focus.
Most grants are created by a request to LCIF from a Lions organization, reviewed by LCIF, and upon approval, the requested funds are provided to and managed by the Lions organization. At project conclusion, or periodically, accountability reports are provided to LCIF. In special cases, funds approval may be approved by LCIF to a Lions organization without a specific request, such as in major disaster relief to expedite the aid.
LCIF may partner with specific companies/vendors to provide materials or services in support of Lions initiatives used in national or international service projects, such are large scale disease treatments distributed or conducted by a Lions organization.
LCIF is dependent on contributions from Lions Clubs, corporations and individuals. All contributed funds are 100% expended on projects, with administration expenses being covered by the interest. LCIF provides several grant types to support varying community needs.
So, in summary, the LCI and the LCIF businesses are controlled and managed by Lions elected leaders, with LCIF being the 501(c)(3) portion. Lions, individuals, businesses, and Lions organizations make contributions to the Foundation (LCIF), and in turn, LCIF funds grants to Lions organizations (generally a district or club) enabling them to conduct a project outside the organization’s normal financial means.
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