Hays Lions Club of Hays, Kansas, has received a $5000 grant from Heartland Community Foundation to fund Vision Screening for Children and Adults and to help provide eye glasses for those financial challenged.
Hays Lions, established in 1924, is a nonprofit organization serving Ellis County and surrounding area with Vision Screening and Vision educational services. In 1925, Helen Keller addressed the Lions Clubs International Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, USA, and challenged Lions to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” Since then, we have worked tirelessly to aid the blind and visually impaired. Lions give sight. By conducting vision screenings, equipping hospitals and clinics, distributing medicine and raising awareness of eye disease, Lions work toward the goal of providing vision for all. Through the support of the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), Lions have helped provide more than 153 million treatments for river blindness and 72 million doses of a sight-saving trachoma medication through the SightFirst program alongside our partners. Lions and LCIF have also helped provide vision screenings for more than 19 million children through the Sight for Kids partnership program.
The Heartland Community Foundation grant will be used to provide eye glasses for Children and Adults that are unable to afford them. Lions Club members will disseminate educational material and conduct informational sessions about vision problems and the importance of early detection. Lions will also provide free vision screening for all Day Care and Pre-Schools in the area. To arrange a screening call Jim Huenergarde @ 785-650-7338.
“95% of vision issues can be corrected if caught prior to age 6!” says Jim Huenergarde, Hays Lions Vision Chairman and Club President.
Heartland Community Foundation builds stronger communities and improves the quality of life for all residents of our region. Each year, the foundation distributes hundreds of thousands of dollars through grants and scholarships, helping thousands of donors achieve their philanthropic goals and many of nonprofits carry on their good work. The Heartland Community Foundation is an affiliate foundation of the Greater Salina Community Foundation which is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity.
Hays Lions are accepting donations to expand the Vision Screening and Vision Education programs to better educate our community about the importance of early detection. Our goal is to have no one go without glasses when unable to afford them. For more information on Hays Lions or how you can support its community efforts, please visit www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/haysks/ , our FaceBook page or call Jim Huenergarde at 785-650-7338.