Dear Fellow Lions,

I would like to update you on recent LCIF news. This spring has brought many great achievements for our Foundation. With surpassing the US$150 million CSFII minimum goal, the onset of Convention 2008 and many other exciting happenings, there is a lot to be proud of as a fellow Lion. Please share this information with your club and district to spread the good will of LCIF.

Landmark Donations Given to CSFII

Two landmark donations where recently given to LCIF. The family of PDG Mrs.Aruna A. Oswal gave US$3 million, the largest, single personal gift that has ever been made to the Foundation. Moorfields Eye Hospital Foundation Trust, a United Kingdom-based international center for the treatment of eye diseases, gave US$4 million, the largest donation in LCIF’s 40-year history. Both donations were made in support of Campaign SightFirst II and further sustain the fight against preventable blindness throughout the world. To learn more about ways to donate to LCIF, contact the LCIF development department.

LCIF at Convention 2008  

Lions Clubs International Convention 2008 in Bangkok, Thailand is quickly approaching. LCIF will be on site during the entire week, giving seminars, hosting events and staffing an LCIF booth. Convention is a great time to find out more about all of LCIF’s programs, learn about new ways to support your foundation and meet LCIF staff. Also available at the LCIF booth will be tickets for the MJF luncheon. For additional information about Lions Clubs International Convention in Bangkok, visit the LCI Web site.

Study Garners National Publicity  

A recent study by LCIF and the National Eye Institute (NEI) revealed that Americans lack critical facts about maintaining eye health, with the greatest disparities being among Hispanics. LCIF Chairperson Jimmy Ross, was joined by actor Ernest Borgnine and an NEI spokesperson to promote the results through a national radio and television tour. In addition to broadcast coverage, the study also received print coverage in publications such as, U.S. News & World Report, Forbes and The Washington Post. The study aims to raise awareness about eye health and incite more Americans to obtain annual eye exams and checkups.

Lions Rally for CSFII Day in May 

From May 11 through May 17, Lions Clubs International will summon nearly 45,000 Lions clubs from around the world to save sight. During this week, clubs are encouraged to dedicate one day to “Campaign SightFirst II Day” by hosting a fund-raising event, making a pledge or contributing with a personal donation. Lions have already exceeded their US$150 million CSFII minimum goal and are working toward their US$200 million challenge goal. Campaign SightFirst II Day is only one part of fund-raising for CSFII. Funds raised during the final weeks of CSFII will help Lions reach their US$200 million challenge goal. Visit the Campaign SightFirst II Web site for more information or to donate now. 

Humanitarian Grants Awarded

At the March 2008 LCIF Board Meeting in Vienna, Austria, 73 grants, totaling more than US$2.83 million, were awarded to Lions clubs all over the world to help fund humanitarian projects. Included in the approved grants was a Core 4 Grant to construct the 1,000th Habitat for Humanity home through the partnership program. LCIF continues to provide financial support for large-scale humanitarian projects which are too extensive for Lions districts to finance on their own. For more grant information, visit the LCIF Web site.

Headquarters Presented with “Gift of Sight” Statue  

At the 90th Lions Clubs International Convention in Chicago, Illinois, former U.S. President, Jimmy Carter, presented LCIF with the “Gift of Sight” statue, to recognize Lions efforts to collaboratively combat preventable blindness. The same statue, which was created by R.T. Wallen, is also at the Merck Headquarters in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey and on the grounds of The Carter Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The “Gift of Sight” statue, commonly known as the river blindness sculpture, shows a child leading a blind man, which is a common sight in many areas of Africa. This statue serves to recognize the humanitarian efforts of Lions worldwide in their fight against preventable blindness.

Celebrate Healthy Vision for Women on Mother’s Day

LCIF has partnered with Women’s Eye Hearth.org to encourage regular and timely eye care treatment for women. Mother’s Day is the perfect time to protect the vision of the women in all of our lives. Nearly 70 percent of all people who are blind or visually impaired are women. Factors like age, nutrition, hormone-related issues, as well as access to information and treatment all put women at greater risk for eye disease. As populations continue to age, vision problems for women are expected to increase. It is important for everyone, especially women, to see an eye care specialist annually for a complete eye exam. Additional eye health information is available from the LCIF Web site and the Women’s Eye Health.org Web site.

New Publications Available 

LCIF has two new publications available. The Annual Report is a comprehensive review of the Foundation’s past fiscal year. The new ForSight, a publication that highlights the achievements of the SightFirst program, is also available. Both publications can be downloaded through our Web site or delivered by mail. Contact the LCIF Communications department for more information about publications offered by the Foundation. 

Yours in Lionism,
Jimmy Ross
LCIF Chairperson