Community Service Projects
Eye sight conservation - This is the Troy Lions primary community service project. We provide assistance in paying for eye exams and purchasing eyeglasses for financially-eligible Miami County residents.
Recycle used eye glasses - We collect used eye glasses that are then taken to developing countries. Mission teams of optometry students and professionals will travel to Central and South America and set up a clinic to provide eye exams to the local population. They will match the exam results with the "best fit" glasses available. It is not unusual for the local people to walk for several days to the clinic location and then stand in line for several more days waiting for the eye exam. We have used eyeglass collection boxes located throughpout Miami County including the public libraries in Troy, Piqua, and Tipp City.
Preschool vision screening - Several of our members have been trained to conduct vision screening tests for 2 to 5 year old children. During a session, we do two tests. The first measures the visual acuity (near or far sightedness) in each eye; the amount of astigmitism in each eye and the difference between the average visual acuity readings of the child's eyes. The second test gauges the stereoscopic (3D) vision development of the child. If any child has results outside the normal range for this age group, we send a recommendation to their parent/guardian to have the child examined by an eye care professional.
Recycle used hearing aids - Troy Lions also recycle used hearing aids to Miami County residents. We have partnered with Dr. Kate Lins, Upper Valley Hearing and Balance Inc. who provide all professional services. The Troy Lions job is to collect the used hearing aids. We have collection boxes for both eyeglasses and hearing aids located throughout Miami County including the public libraries in Troy, Piqua, and Tipp City. Dr. Lins and Upper Valley Hearing and Balance will refurbish the hearing aids collected, examine qualified recipients for hearing loss and fit them with an appropriate hearing aid. The cost for this will be around $100.
Flexible film plastic recycling - Lions Club members collect, weigh, and submit flexible film plastic to designated locations. This type of plastic is not collected by the city's recycling company. Instead of ending up in a landfill, these plastics are then converted into community park benches.
Card showers - Troy Lions Club members create greeting cards to distribute to senior residents of long term care facilities. These cards are distributed for: Valentine's Day, Independence Day, Halloween, and Christmas.
Wreaths Across America - The Troy Lions Club honors US veterans every December by purchasing wreaths through Wreaths Across America. Individiual members then decorate these veteran's graves by placing the wreaths on them.
Operation Christmas Child - Troy Lions Club members create shoeboxes filled with personal care, educational, and fun items. These shoeboxes are then donated to the Christmas Child project of the Good Samaritans. These boxes are distributed to children in developing countries. All shipping charges are paid for by the club.
Peace Poster - Local elementary schools are given the opportunity to participate in the Lions Peace Poster Contest. Students create a poster based on a stated theme. Local wnners receive a monetary prize and then their poster is entered in the state-level contest.
Scholarships - Local high school seniors may apply for the Troy Lions Club scholarship. The scholarship is based on academic performance and on the student's involvement with community service.
Donations - Troy Lions annually support the following local organizations and activities with monetary donations: St Patrick Soup Kitchen in Troy, First Place Food Pantry in Troy, United Methodist Pantry in Fletcher, Bethany Pantry in Piqua, Needy Basket Pantry in Tipp City, Community Thanksgiving dinner, Imagination Library, Summer Reading Program, Troy Civic Theatre, and more. In keeping with the club's primary mission, annual donations are made to an eye bank, eye research, diabetes research, and several sight related foundations. Annual donations are also made for pediatric cancer, and disaster relief.
