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This return demonstrates just how much can be accomplished when community organizations and eyecare professionals partner with area Lions Clubs to serve people who can’t afford vision screening services and eyeglasses.
Club membership was mobilized with a plan that reached out to the most vulnerable in their communities. OC Central Lions Club Chairperson, Dennis Tortora, noted that the clubs cast a wide net reaching out to several diverse community groups with bilingual communications, to spread awareness of the event including:
- Churches (Catholic, Methodist, Episcopalian, & Presbyterian)
- Sikh Center
- Laundromats
- Senior Centers
- 211 Orange County (Social Services Organization)
- Isiah House (Shelter for Abused)
- Food Banks
- Homeless Centers
- Santa Ana Unified School District (Digital for in class TV and printed flyers)
- Tustin Unified School District (Digital for in class TV and printed flyers)
In addition to this, the schools sent flyers home to parents electronically and distributed print copies. The results were a resounding success!
A total of 16 optometrists and opticians gave up a day in their practice to volunteer in Santa Ana. All this, plus 75 mostly Lions volunteers representing 17 different clubs, made it possible to serve 333 people in one day.
As the word of our service spreads, more Lions are coming forward with a desire to participate. At this event we had 15 Seal Beach Lions sign-up for training with a 100% positive engagement and interest in doing more.
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