Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation

06/10/2026

Happy 66th birthday to Lions Gift of Sight! We've restored vision in Minnesota and around the world for more than six decades now. ❤️👁️💛 To celebrate, our St. Paul team came together today for a potluck lunch - sharing recipes, deepening connections and looking forward to the years to come. 🍽️🫂

06/09/2026

"Riley had a heart of gold and had made an impact on many people in his short life," said his mom, Deb. Riley Knapp grew up in Belle Plaine and Brook Park, Minnesota, a strawberry-blonde boy with a smile so bright his family called him "Smiley Riley." He was just 22 years old when he passed, only two weeks after his birthday.

Riley lived life fully and on his own terms. He spent weekends riding his 4-wheeler with friends, fishing on Lake Mille Lacs from the family cabin, and caring for his beloved pets, two parakeets, two dogs, and a houseful of cats. He took pride in his '08 Chevy Impala, customized with tinted windows and a stereo system his mom could hear from down the road. At home, he was a dedicated gamer. In school, his speed on the football field earned him a spot as wide receiver, and his scouting roots ran deep through years in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.

Riley is survived by his mom Deb, stepdad Paul, sister Taylor, and nephew Xavier, with another little one on the way.

We are so grateful for Riley's generous gift, which has touched lives near and far:
Two recipients received the gift of sight through corneal transplants supported by Lions Gift of Sight; one of Riley's corneas traveled all the way to Tunisia.
Other donations reached recipients in New Jersey, California, Arizona and Colorado.

"His life will live on in others," Deb said. "I am so proud of Riley for being an organ donor."
So are we, Deb. Thank you for your gift of sight, Riley. ♥️

06/03/2026

Join us for a live demonstration of the newest option for corneal evaluation, Kerify, at ! We'll go through the step-by-step workflow for capturing images and instantly assessing graft-wide endothelial cell damage in a realistic processing environment.

This is designed for anyone curious about the future of tissue evaluation, the use of AI in eye banking, and how Kerify could work for your eye bank.

If you can't make the demo, visit the Kerify booth in the vendor area anytime afterwards.

Live demo details:
JW Marriott Hotel Indianapolis, Room 109
Wed. June 3, 11:30 a.m. - noon

Eye Bank Association of America

05/27/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Wendy Goldsmith on receiving the Minnesota Lions Helen Keller Sight Award! 👏💙

This special award honors individuals who have made an outstanding difference in support of sight, vision care, and helping others. Inspired by the legacy of Helen Keller, the award recognizes compassion, service, and dedication to improving lives.

Dr. Wendy Goldsmith has served on the board for 6 years, including 2 years as Board Chair, and her leadership and dedication have made a lasting impact. Thank you for all that you continue to do for our community. This honor is truly well deserved!

If you would like to read more about the Helen Keller Sight Award, visit https://www.mnlionsvisionfoundation.org/helen-keller-award

05/22/2026

05/21/2026

As we approach the anniversary of Helen Keller’s historic speech at the ninth annual Lions International Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, where she challenged Lions to become “Knights of the Blind in the Crusade Against Darkness,” we encourage Lions Clubs to recognize those who make a difference for individuals with vision needs. 💙👁️

Consider honoring:
⭐ Lions in your club
⭐ Businesses and community partners
⭐ Teachers, coaches, and peers supporting students with vision impairments
⭐ Healthcare professionals and caregivers
⭐ Families who gave the gift of sight through eye donation

A simple recognition can shine a light on compassion, service, and the impact one person can make in the life of another. Together, we continue Helen Keller’s inspiring challenge to serve those facing vision loss.

To learn more about the Helen Keller Sight Award and to get an application for your club check out: https://www.mnlionsvisionfoundation.org/helen-keller-award/

Those receiving a Helen Keller Sight Award before June 30th will be invited to 'Thanksgiving For Vision' this fall.

  Helen Keller and the Lions Born in Alabama in 1880, Helen Adams Keller contracted an illness at the age of 19 months that robbed her of sight and hearing. For five long years, she lived in a dark and silent world until Anne Sullivan became her teacher and companion. Sullivan gave to Helen Keller ...

05/15/2026

Organ Donation Awareness Night at Target Field is a little over a month away! Join us on Friday, June 26th, as the Twins take on the Colorado Rockies at 7:10pm.

You'll want to get there early as LifeSource will be joining The National Kidney Foundation and Kidney Specialists Minnesota with a pre-game on-field recognition, ceremonial first pitch and singing the 7th Inning Stretch!

Each ticket purchased gets a complimentary event t-shirt and hot off the press - Ludacris will be performing a postgame show! Now THAT'S a homerun.

Get your tickets now! https://www.gofevo.com/event/OrganDonationDay26

04/29/2026

It was an honor to host Lions Clubs International President A.P. Singh from Kolkata, India, at the Lions Gift of Sight office last week! He spoke about his deep commitment to servant leadership supporting communities and shared his appreciation for our work restoring sight.

The Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation also received a generous donation from the Nisswa Lions Club to support Lions Gift of Sight operations. We’re grateful for this funding that will be used to purchase a processing hood for our lab.

Lions International President Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation

04/29/2026

👓 Ever wonder what happens to the eyeglasses you donate?

Your glasses start their journey with the Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation and are sent to the Minnesota Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center in Pine City, MN, where they’re cleaned and sorted.

From there, they travel to Rosholt, Wisconsin, where they’re prescription-graded and prepared for reuse.

These glasses are then given to medical mission teams—including Minnesota Lions Missions—who provide vision care across the U.S. and in underserved communities beyond our borders.

🌍 Your donation helps restore sight and change lives.