Our Causes
Today, in addition to supporting Special Olympics, Lions Clubs’ fundraising efforts and projects focus on:
Vision
Here in Montana, our local clubs focus on collecting and providing eyeglasses and vision screening in schools and underserved communities throughout the state. Lions Gift of Sight is a full-service eye bank that has worked to address needs associated with corneal transplants for over 60 years. In addition, Montana’s District 37 Lions Clubs have provided significant grant funding for Leader Dogs for the Blind, as well as for other programs that assist the blind and visually impaired.
Thanks to referrals by the Deaf and Blind School in Great Falls, we’ve also provided low vision tablets for 100 Montanans with low vision, which now allows them to fully participate in school, at work and at home. We also have collection places for eyeglasses around the state where individuals can donate their unused eyeglasses to be distributed to persons in need worldwide. Collection spots can be found in many optometrist offices, as well as in various private businesses throughout the state. Click here to see current list of drop off locations.
Click Here for The Do's and Dont's of eyeglass recycling! If you don't want to send eyeglasses by mail, contact your zone or region chair for help delivering.
Disaster Relief
In Montana, we have experienced natural disasters in the form of devastating floods and fires throughout our state. Lions International recognizes the need to meet immediate needs and provide long-term support for communities devastated by natural disasters. Our Montana Lions have requested and received several disaster relief grants which were used to provide funding for meeting not only the immediate needs of our communities, but also providing for cleanup and restoration.
Humanitarian Aid
Lions International has challenged Montana clubs to identify the world’s most crucial needs and provide humanitarian aid where it’s needed most. Montana Lions support their local communities in so many ways! We provide assistance to individuals in need, put on community events that promote mental health and wellness, serve our elderly and disabled, host blood drawings to support our local blood banks.
Youth
Montana Lions support our youth in so many ways and they can be seen every month in the club news section of this website – Vision Screening in our schools and pre-schools, our Youth Diabetes Camp, the annual Peace Poster & Essay Contest, Easter Egg Hunts, Christmas Strolls that include Santa Claus and gifts for all the children, Youth Sports Programs, Prom Dinners, Scholarships for college, trade schools, ROTC or military options and other post-high school educational opportunities.
Diabetes
Our Lions Clubs International Foundation partners with the World Health Organization to bring diabetes screening and educational programs to communities around the world. Montana Lions are well aware of the diabetes needs across our state and work closely with the American Diabetes Association to refer people who need low-vision equipment or provide referrals to other resources. District 37 Lions Clubs also host summer camps (as part of an endorsed project) where children with diabetes can learn how to manage their disease better.
Childhood Cancer
Montana Lions have joined with Lions International to provide support for the needs of children and families affected by childhood cancer. 47 Montana children ages 0-19 are diagnosed with cancer each year (the same rate as all children in the US). The most common types are Leukemia, Lymphoma, Brain & Central Nervous System and Melanoma. So, Montana Lions make it a priority to support organizations that provide services for diagnosed youth and their families. Our goal is to help enrich the quality of life for those experiencing this incredibly difficult situation.
Environment
Lions International has challenged all Lions to protect the environment to create healthier communities and a more sustainable world. The Montana Lions understand that the Earth’s natural resources and atmosphere are essential for our quality of life and survival. Many of our clubs have provided and/or maintained parks in our towns and cities, planted trees, clean up our highways and take part in recycling and waste management projects such as the NexTrex Plastic Bag & Film Recycling Program.
Hunger
The goal is to have zero hunger by improving food security and access to nutritious food to help alleviate hunger. Many of the Montana Clubs have provided Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to those in need or assisted local food banks by donating needed groceries and supplies, providing financial support and in some cases, receiving matching grants through Lions Club International Foundation to upgrade equipment and expand the ability to serve their community’s hunger needs. Most recently, a matching Hunger grant was received by Fairfield Lions for $77,614.
Helpful Links
Click here to find out more about and/or make a donation to the Montana Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation.
Click here to visit the Lions Club International website.
The purpose of the Foundation as stated in the By-Laws is: “Plan, develop, and maintain a unified program by which each and every Lions Club in Montana may participate voluntarily in providing services to sight, hearing and/or speech impaired persons. The Foundation may receive any property, real, personal, or mixed by gift, device, bequest… The Foundation will operate exclusively for charitable, educational, literary, or scientific purpose.”
The Foundation is dedicated to providing assistance, through the Lions Clubs of Montana, to Montanans in need of assistance with sight, hearing and/or speech problems. MLSHF provides eye surgeries and hearing aids to fellow Montanans who demonstrate financial need. Our local initiatives include public awareness campaigns on identifying hearing issues in youth, funding guide dog programs for the deaf and hard-of-hearing, and financial assistance for equipment and surgeries.
Endorsed Projects
LCI and LCIF also support Montana District 37 clubs by helping us with the funding and practical assistance we need to complete projects that address specific needs within our communities.
Florence Crittenton Family Services
Florence Crittenton Family Services is an organization that provides family-centered, trauma-responsive support and services to help young families thrive. Their programs include mental health care services, substance abuse recovery, parenting education, access to community supports, and childcare and preschool.
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Leader Dogs for the Blind
Leader Dogs’ mission is to empower people who are blind or visually impaired with lifelong skills for safe and independent daily travel. The loss of sight can be the beginning of a life changing reality, so the team at Leader Dog provides all services, including dog training, at no cost to their clients.
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Lions Club International Foundation
Lions Club International Foundation empowers Lions Clubs, volunteers, and partners to improve health and well-being, strengthen communities, and support those in need through humanitarian services and grants, on an international scale. Their mission is to provide service to improve communities and the greater world.
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Montana Association for the Blind
The Montana Association for the Blind’s central goal is to promote self-sufficiency for blind and visually impaired Montanans. They facilitate education, training, and employment services for those in need. They also promote a positive understanding of blindness and encourage accessibility in everyday life and in all opportunities.
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Montana School for the Deaf & Blind Foundation
The Montana School for the Deaf and the Blind (MSDB) Foundation provides funding for academic opportunity and social development for Montana’s deaf children and blind children to better prepare them for independent lives. Our Vision is to lift our students beyond what the world expects.
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Lions Gift of Sight
Lions Gift of Sight is a full-service eye bank that obtains, medically evaluates, and distributes donor eyes for corneal transplants, research, and education. They provide more than 1,000 corneas for transplant and over 1,000 eyes for research every year.
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Diabetes - Now What
Empowering Lives: An Innovative Approach to Diabetes Management. In the ongoing battle against diabetes, a dynamic fusion of knowledge, innovation, and compassion has emerged as a formidable force. SugarBEAT Enterprise proudly presents "Diabetes...Now What?" – a cutting-edge digital diabetes education solution designed to empower individuals with the tools and knowledge they need to effectively manage diabetes and enhance their quality of life. Our mission is to bridge the gap between diagnosis and meeting with care teams, putting the "We" in wellness.
Montana Youth Diabetes
Montana Youth Diabetes Alliance’s mission is to enrich the lives of Montana youth living with Type 1 Diabetes. They provide safe, fun, educational opportunities through summer camps and other events. MYDA also provides financial assistance and resources to families navigating diabetes-related support systems.
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Lions Projects are endorsed only after being vetted, to ensure all donations are being spent wisely, with low administrative overhead. (No Lions member ever receives compensation for serving.) In addition, projects are endorsed only once it’s determined that they will provide high quality services that we can all be proud of.
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