WHAT WE SUPPORT
In keeping with Lions Club goals worldwide, our primary focus is providing a variety of services to those with vision impairments, but over the years our efforts have expanded to include serving those with hearing loss and those suffering from childhood diabetes. In everything we do, we strive to live up to the Lions motto: WE SERVE.
VISION PROGRAMS
We perform vision screenings to identify those who might be experiencing difficulties with their vision and provide them with information and a referral for follow-up with their eye care specialist. Look for us in local schools and daycare facilities and at other health and safety activities in the County. Vision screenings are free of charge.
Other services we provide are:
Eye Exams and Eyeglasses
Recycle Eyeglasses
Vision and Glaucoma Screenings
HEARING PROGRAMS
We perform screening tests to identify those who might be experiencing difficulties with their hearing and provide them with information and a referral for follow-up with a hearing specialist. Look for us in local schools and daycare facilities and at other health and safety activities in the County. Hearing screenings are free of charge.
Other services we provide are:
Audiology Exams
Hearing Aids
Hearing Screenings
Recycle Hearing Aids
CAMP MERRICK SCHOLARSHIP
We provide scholarships for children with vision or hearing impairment or diabetes to attend Lions Camp Merrick.
GREAT MILLS HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP
We award scholarships to graduating seniors from Great Mills High School who have demonstrated a commitment to community service.
INTERNATIONAL PEACE POSTER CONTEST
The Lions Club International Peace Poster Contest began simply enough: What would happen if children throughout the world used the universal language of art to express what peace means to them?
From this question sprang an annual tradition in which children put pen, crayon, charcoal or paintbrush to paper and unleash their powerful talents. Each year, Lions Clubs around the world invite children ages 11, 12 and 13 to artistically express what peace means to them through the Peace Poster Contest.
In collaboration with art teachers in the local middle schools, we sponsor an annual entry into this completion. The winning artist receives a monetary prize and the winning poster is forwarded on to the District competition with the potential for inclusion in the international contest.
PROVIDE CHRISTMAS
Each year our members “adopt” and provide Christmas dinner and gifts for families in need around the Lexington Park area.
OTHER CAUSES WE SUPPORT
LIONS CAMP MERRICK
Lions Camp Merrick provides a unique camping experience for youth with special needs (vision impairment, hearing impairment, diabetes). Children participate in outdoor activities such as canoeing, challenge courses, archery, fishing, nature walks, swimming, campfire storytelling, basketball, baseball, softball and various arts and crafts. Additionally, at the end of the camping season, Camp Merrick hosts a special camp for blind adults.
LEADER DOGS FOR THE BLIND
Founded by three Detroit-area Lions Club members in 1939, Leader Dogs for the Blind provides guide dogs to people who are blind or visually impaired to enhance their mobility, independence and quality of life. Each year, over 270 clients attend our 26-day residential training program to be paired with a guide dog. This is a life-changing event that opens the door to independence, safety and self-worth for many of our clients. In addition to the guide dog program, Leader Dogs for the Blind offer programs that enhance a person’s independence and quality of life in other ways, including orientation and mobility training, GPS training, and seminars for Orientation and Mobility professionals. Currently, Leader Dog is the only facility in the Western Hemisphere to teach Deaf-Blind students to work with a guide dog.
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES
Three times a year, we sponsor the American Red Cross blood drive held at St. Andrews Church.