The Lions Clubs of Vermont are proud to be a partner this year with Green Up Vermont, joining in the annual effort to improve the quality of our environment. The goals of Green Up are entirely consistent with those of all Lions clubs, who are actively engaged in service to their communities.

Lions Clubs worldwide took sight conservation as their major goal after a speech by Helen Keller at a Lions Convention in 1925. Helen challenged the Lions to become her "Knights of the Blind", a challenge that has become a rallying cry for Lions projects around the world.

The principle objects of all Lions Clubs are to provide funding for sight and hearing organizations, and to promote health awareness programs. Since July of 2005, in Vermont alone, from caring citizens, Lions have collected 15,000 pair of eyeglasses to be reused for individuals who cannot afford or do not have adequate access to eyecare.

In 2004, over 5.2 million pairs of eyeglasses were collected and redistributed to people in need worldwide. The Lions Clubs International Foundation supports more than 2.5 million cataract surgeries annually, and in recent years has financed the construction or upgrading of 68 eye hospitals. Former President Jimmy Carter has remarked that “Millions of people can see today and can work to support their families because of the blindness prevention activities of Lions and Lions Clubs International Foundation”.

Lions Clubs are composed of caring volunteers supporting a variety of sight and hearing programs, plus local and regional community activities throughout the state.

In cooperation with the Austine School for the Deaf in Brattleboro, Vermont Lions run a 4 week summer camp program for deaf children. Both New Hampshire and Vermont Lions sponsor an annual soccer tournament to raise funds for the camp. Like the Maple Sugar Bowl, high school students, boys and girls compete in the inter-state rivalry to promote good sportsmanship and awareness of social issues.

Vermont Lions Charities, Inc is the state wide non-profit organization which supports disaster relief, such as the flooding in northern Vermont several years ago, and last year's flood damage in southern New Hampshire.

Individual Lions Clubs conduct a wide variety of fund raising events and offer many types of charitable donations and services. The Clubs donate 100% of the money raised from the public to many local, state, and international charitable organizations or individuals.

More than three quarters of this money stays within Vermont; the remainder goes to the Lions Clubs International Foundation, which uses the funds for international projects, such as sight related care facilities, and for disaster relief, such as Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Among the high priority causes are the VT Association of the Blind, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, and the VT Diabetes Association. Some clubs conduct free diabetes screenings, and support the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation. The Muscular Dystrophy Foundation also receives a donation. In cooperation with Lenscrafters, clubs also sponsor free eyeglasses to qualifying individuals.

Lions support several programs for youths, including the Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts. Each year, they conduct a "Peace Poster" contest, which awards savings bonds for the best interpretations of the Lions World Peace theme. Several clubs award scholarships to deserving local teens for higher education. Lions promote a state wide "Speak Out" contest, which encourages high school students to develop their public speaking skills. A "Winter Warmth" project provides funds to give winter clothing to kids in need. We also make donations to the Seniors organizations also benefit from Lions, including support for Senior Centers and Meals on Wheels programs.

In 2005, the International Association of Lions Clubs had 1,317,456 menbers in 45,252 clubs and 753 districts in 194 countries. In Vermont there are approximately 50 Lions clubs, and 5 Leo clubs, in all areas of the state. Nearly 1500 dedicated men, women, and teens raise funds, and donate their time and their efforts to contribute to the well being of their communities.