March 10, 2023 • lionslighthouse.org

Raising White Cane!

The above quote from a vision surgery recipient is particularly appropriate when discussing the White Cane campaign since all dollars raised through this initiative are earmarked to fund sight-saving eye surgeries to eligible Georgia recipients.  

We are proud and grateful for the Georgia Lions Clubs who fundraise every year to support White Cane mostly through direct solicitations. Last May at the Georgia Lions State Convention, we recognized over 25 Clubs for their participation in the White Cane campaign raising nearly $30,000. In FY21-22, nearly 80% of the total annual funds raised came during the April 1-June 30, 2022 timeframe. Given that Lions Clubs have already raised over $13,000 through the first 8 months of FY22-23, we should exceed last year’s campaign total, however, we want to meet this year's goal of $45,000!

We recognize and appreciate these 9 Lions Clubs and individual donors below for donating to White Cane through March 1, 2023 of FY22-23.  

Lions Clubs’ FY22-23 YTD White Cane Donations

(through 2/28/2023)

DISTRICT - 18 N CONVENTION HIGHLIGHTS

Beth and Fran appreciated all the Lions who came to our exhibit table to learn more about how we are trying to empower Lions to advance the GLLF mission while also serving their communities. It was great to talk about the progress that the tele-optometry initiative is making and that we are serving specific clinics in District N such as Mercy Ministries Clinic in Lyons (1/25) and Curtis Cooper and St. Mary’s Clinics in Savannah later in March (3/28-30) and creating volunteer opportunities for Lions to serve. We appreciated receiving over 20 communication surveys too.  From the podium, Beth Ehrhardt further emphasized how the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation is transforming and augmenting its vision services to help empower Lions to serve their communities and the forward momentum that we are continuing to experience as we come into the last quarter of FY22-23. 

Prior to the District 18-N Convention, the call went out to the attending Lions Clubs to bring used eyeglasses as part of a larger service project effort. GLLF can safely say that District 18-N Lion Clubs responded in a big way bringing over 4,000 pairs of glasses. In addition to donated glasses, Lion Clubs also contributed generously to the Foundation with their financial resources. Most notably, we received $1,000 checks each from Lion Club Presidents Billy Carroll (Hephzibah) and John Cowart (National Hills). Thank you again to both Clubs and all other donors for your generosity. 

Bring Glasses and Some Wine!

We’re referring to donated eyeglasses for our recycling center and a bottle of wine to support a Wine Pull organized by the Snellville Lions Club! The Wine Pull event will occur at the MD-18 State Convention in May with a fundraising goal of $2,000 to benefit Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation (GLLF). Please bring a bottle of wine valued at $20 or above to the District Convention. GLLF will collect the wine for the special fundraiser occurring at the State Convention May 19-20.

Please feel free to call GLLF Board District Director, Harold Walker at 404.367.2126 or Fran Schefer at 404.325.3630 x313 for more details. Thank you in advance.

It's Here – Resources for Georgia Lions!

Currently the site is still a work in progress. Stay tuned for updates. Provide your feedback to Fran Schefer at fschefer@lionslighthouse.org.

View Website

It's March, now's the time to hit your stride!

We are here to help!

Your Club can create a team by following these step-by-step instructions and using the link below or by contacting Fran Schefer at fschefer@lionslighthouse.org.

While you fundraise for Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation, you will earn cool swag such as a 2023 Strides 4 Sight t-shirt.

***Please note ALL Districts: If you are unable to participate on Saturday, April 22 at the Chamblee Clinic, feel free to create your own walk in your area on a date that works best for you. Perhaps even combine it with a highway clean-up day. Every dollar your Lions Club raises, through Strides 4 Sight, will count toward the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation tele-optometry clinic visiting a location in your district. It costs $2,000 per clinic. (Please let Fran know if you are interested in doing your event on a different day and he will customize a flyer for you).

Please share Lions good news with

Senior Director, Development & Lions Liaison:

Fran Schefer 

770.738.4675

fschefer@lionslighthouse.org

Mobile/Tele-Health Clinic Volunteer Opportunities

March-April, 2023 (2 Volunteers Needed per Clinic)

* Indicates a Mobile Clinic (vs. Tele-Optometry)

** Indicates a need for only 1 volunteer

How to volunteer for upcoming Mobile/Tele-Optometry Clinics

Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation is piloting a new process for Georgia Lions to volunteer at Mobile and Tele-Optometry Clinics in your area based on the above schedule.

Due to spatial limitations at the Clinics, we can accommodate up to 2 volunteers per clinic. These will be available on a first come-first serve basis. Please note that additional clinics may be added to this schedule.

If someone in your Lions Club is interested in signing up to volunteer at a scheduled Mobile or Tele-Optometry Clinic, please contact Kaelin Hill @ Khill@lionslighthouse.org for an information packet to register online and receive additional instruction and training.

FOLLOW US | lionslighthouse.org