Columbia, SC – Lions Vision Services aims to raise at least $3,000 in matching funds put forward from the Aiken Lions Club on Giving Tuesday, December 1st, to meet the growing demand for vision health services in low income families throughout the state. Since July LVS has seen a more than 58% increase in eye surgery applications brought on by a combination of impacts from COVID-19, a growing number of vision disabilities in South Carolina, and changes in traditional sources of revenue during the coronavirus pandemic.
Vision is primary to our quality of life and to ensuring a safe, vibrant, connected community. The disparities in access to vision health closely mirror the social, medical, and financial disparities prevalent throughout South Carolina. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, regional trends indicate that vision disabilities will double in the Palmetto State by 2030 without effective intervention. LVS is continuing a half-century commitment to addressing these issues.
In response to these growing demands and the novel challenges presented by the coronavirus pandemic, LVS has already provided 89% of total services rendered last year in just the first five months of its current fiscal year. Giving Tuesday is a unique opportunity for donors to join LVS in giving the gift of sight and expand LVS’s capacity to provide more eye surgeries.
“Giving Tuesday is an exciting day to unleash the generosity of our community,” says Daniel Prohaska, Director of Development for LVS. “Every person has the power to change the world and on December 1st the gifts made to LVS will be that change by addressing the growing demand for affordable eye surgeries, investing in nonprofit collaboration with our partners, and adopting new technology solutions for our staff and clients.”
Thanks to their unique Healthcare Provider Network of ophthalmologists, anesthesiologists, and surgery centers who provide a discounted rate on services to LVS clients, every $1 raised is already leveraged into an additional $5 in services provided. In addition, the first $3,000 raised on December 1st will be matched by the Aiken Lions Club.
Gifts can be made online at lionsvisionservices.org beginning at 12:00am on Tuesday, December 1st. Gifts can also be made by texting “sightfirst” to 44321.
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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.