Charleston, SC – Lions Vision Services was recently awarded a total of $18,500 in grants from various regional funds at the Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina through their annual competitive grant cycle to provide eye surgeries, low vision equipment, and hearing aids to low income families in seven Lowcountry counties.
Specific fund allocations include $8,000 from The Beaufort Fund for services in Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, and Colleton Counties; $5,000 from Open Grants for services in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester Counties; $3,000 from the Dorchester County Fund; and $2,500 from the Giving Back to Berkeley County Fund.
“Funds from CCF’s regional grants will help LVS effectively address the growing demand for vision services amid increased unemployment due to COVID-19 and an already increasing blind and visually impaired population,” said Daniel Prohaska, Director of Development for LVS. “Saving sight is an essential service that we must continue to provide to Lowcountry residents navigating the COVID-19 pandemic. We rely heavily on local partners like CCF who have an in-depth knowledge of local community issues to lead philanthropic investment in these programs and bring awareness to the need for expanded access to vision health for all.”
LVS has seen a 58% increase in eye surgeries in the first quarter of the fiscal year and expects that trend to continue into the second quarter. With a statewide network of partners including ophthalmologists, anesthesiologists, and surgery centers who assist LVS in providing affordable eye surgeries, LVS can leverage every $1 raised into an additional $5 in services, bringing the total impact of CCF’s grants on the Lowcountry community to $92,500.
“Lions Vision Services is providing an essential need in communities across our nine-county footprint,” said Darrin Goss, president and CEO of Coastal Community Foundation. “We are proud to support the organization’s work expanding access to affordable vision care throughout our region in this time of need.”
Individuals interested in inquiring about financial assistance with eye surgeries, low vision equipment, or hearing aids can contact Lions Vision Services at (803) 796-1304.
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About Lions Vision Services
Lions Vision Services (LVS) was created by the Lions Clubs of South Carolina in 1969 and exists today to empower the under-served blind and visually impaired in South Carolina to live safe, meaningful, and fulfilling lives. LVS offers a range of programs and services to low income South Carolina residents who apply for need-based financial assistance with obtaining affordable eye surgeries, low vision equipment, health screenings, and hearing aids. To learn more about LVS’s services, visit www.lionsvisionservices.org.