Making Vision Possible for Everyone
Our Mission
Our Mission
Lions Vision Services exists to empower the under-served blind and visually-impaired in South Carolina to live safe, meaningful, and fulfilling lives.
Our Vision
We envision a vibrant community in which preventable blindness is eliminated, the blind and visually impaired have the resources necessary to live fulfilling lives, and public perception recognizes the potential and dignity of every blind and visually impaired person.
Our Future
What began in 1969 as an effort by the Lions of South Carolina to take collective action that would enable more service to those in the blind and visually impaired community who lacked the financial means to secure adequate medical attention has become a regional force for sight conservation.
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Our History
Since 1922 South Carolinians have been coming together to serve the Palmetto State through Lions Clubs, first in Columbia, Spartanburg, Orangeburg, Anderson, and Greenville, then in communities statewide. In 1925 their focus became vision and hearing services following Helen Keller’s challenge to be “Knights of the Blind” in the crusade against darkness at the International Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio.
In 1968 exploratory committees began researching how a statewide charitable organization for the Lions of South Carolina could be formed. Alone, individual clubs identified extraordinary needs in their communities, and together they realized the potential for a greater impact statewide than what a single club could achieve on their own.
At the State Convention in Myrtle Beach in 1969 the South Carolina Lions Sight Conservation Association (SCLSCA) was created to advance the cause of service to the blind and visually impaired throughout the state.
The first Mobile Vision Program was established with the assistance of the South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB) in 1974. A few years later the Lions Hearing Aid Bank and Affordable Eye Surgery Program were created in 1976. Camps for the blind began in 1977.
Our Impact
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How You Can Help
Partner with us
If you’re a medical facility that wishes to partner with us to provide vision and hearing surgeries & services, please contact info@lionsvisionservices.org
Volunteer
If you would like to volunteer with our organization to provide health screenings and clinics, please contact volunteer@lionsvisionservices.org
Donate
If you would like to see lives changed, vision restored and hearing repaired, please consider donating to one of our programs, or to our organization overall. If you have any questions please contact donate@lionsvisionservices.org
Our Goals
To ensure the organization’s continued efficiency in accomplishing its mission, the Board of Directors has adopted a multi-year strategic plan to guide Lions Vision Services through the year 2022 and create the foundation for the next fifty years of service. That plan centers around five goals:
- Advance Lions Vision Services’ long-term financial position through annual fund development plans and exploration of a future major fundraising effort.
- Diversify, enrich, and expand board member recruitment and involvement.
- Complete a comprehensive review of and recommendation for all Lions Vision Services programs and services.
- Deepen relationships with individual Lions, Lions Clubs, Districts, and the Multiple District to increase knowledge, effectiveness and capacity for collective action.
- Create and implement a meaningful recognition of the 50th anniversary of Lions Vision Services in 2019.
To learn more about our future and the details of this plan, read our full Strategic Plan.
Thank you to the patrons and partners who generously support our work.
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Contact Us
234 Outlet Point Boulevard
Suite C
Columbia, SC 29210
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