Lions Vision Services (LVS) was chartered by the Lions Clubs of SC in 1969 to meet the growing demand for services to blind and visually impaired persons in under-served communities. Programs came to include vision screenings in 1974, eye surgeries in 1976, eyeglass collection and recycling in 1981, vision technology in 2018, the Palmetto Vision Alliance in 2020, eyeglass provision in 2021, and a
blind fishing tournament in 2022. Today LVS exists to empower the under-served blind and visually impaired in South Carolina to live safe, meaningful, and fulfilling lives. Our vision is 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. With the exception of Vision Screenings, which are free and available to the public, clients must meet two criteria to qualify for LVS services: (1) they must be a South Carolina resident for a least 1-year; and (2) must demonstrate total household income of approximately 200% or less of Federal Poverty Guidelines, with no other resources, public or private, to pay for services. There is an urgent need to provide adequate vision health to economically disadvantaged communities in South Carolina. Vision is the key to addressing a range of other health issues and remains a primary concern in measuring our quality of life and connectedness to our community. Our programs address these needs and supporting LVS will expand a well-established, highly collaborative, successful organization. Beyond the practical implications of the gift of sight, we are doing a profound thing through this program – we are changing the way people see themselves, and the world. That change will have an immeasurable impact on our children, our grandchildren, and generations to come.
