Lions for Access- Lions Clubs & Helen Keller Challenge 2.0- Extended

06/18/2026

California Lions Council Chair Dr. Cheri Provancha was officially dubbed a Knight of the Blind 2.0 and an Accessibility Ambassador at the June 2026 Council of Governors meeting in Orange, California. Officiating were “Lions for Access” Committee Members, Lion Jennifer Gass and Lion Donna Pomerantz, and “Helen Keller Challenge 2.0” Committee Member, District Governor Elect Dave Kaplow. California Lions Marketing Chair Elizabeth Steves (who has played a huge role in both committees.) shared closing comments and captured photo and video. It’s been an amazing year for advocacy, accessibility and inclusion in Lions!

06/16/2026

What a Lionly way to install a blind president, baseball fan and beat baseball player! Giving three roars for a great year Lion President Joe Q. and Woburn Host Lions Club!

Today the Woburn Host Lions invade Fenway Park! Our 76th President, Joe Quintanilla will be installed along with the starting lineup of Board of Directors for this upcoming Lions year! We will celebrate America’s pass time, our accomplishments over the last year and our members who have had a huge impact on our success! It will be great to be in one of the country’s most iconic venues to celebrate lionism, philanthropy! The Woburn Host lions Club will be in the same venue where baseball hall of famers have made their mark! We will be honoring our own hall of famers! We are proud to have a special event on the 250th year of our country at America’s favorite stadium!
A Special thanks to William J Barabino, Attorney & Councilor At Law ( www.williambarabino.com ) as well as Kevin Andrews, a Club member all the way from Chicago for their generosity in supporting the installation!

06/15/2026

Please help spread the word about this great opportunity for Blind Veterans!

We're donating Ray-Ban Meta glasses to every blind veteran in America, giving them transformative AI technology.

06/11/2026

Hello,

If we have not yet met, I am Kirsten French, the Manager of Community Education and Advocacy at Guide Dogs for the Blind. In the upcoming California state budget, there have been significant budget cuts to the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) that significantly impact Older Individuals who are Blind (OIB) funding. Furthermore, the funding cuts have led to DOR’s Order of Selection Category 1 closure, creating significant strain on a system that is already under immense pressure. There has been significant advocacy work done by CAABVI (California Agencies for the Blind and Visually Impaired), LightHouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired, NFB of California, California Council of the Blind, and countless others but it is vital that everyone’s voices are heard.

We are reaching out to ask you to contact your state senator and assemblyperson and share the attached letter voicing your support for OIB funding to be restored and ensure that all Priority Category 1 services are retained. Time is limited, the budget is expected to be finalized by June 15 so please do not delay in reaching out to your representatives.

Find your representatives and send them the attached letter. Feel free to personalize it to share how vital these services are to you and your community.

Help us track what advocacy is happening in our community by letting us know when you reach out to your representatives!

Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions and thank you for your support!

Cheers,

Kirsten



Kirsten French

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Manager of Community Education and Advocacy

[email protected]

503-668-1580

guidedogs.com

06/08/2026

Thank you for sharing and all you do to promote access and amazing vision service Northern California Lions Sight Association (NCLSA)