Lions Clubs International Foundation News

February Message from the LCIF Chairperson: LCIF & Lions: Saving Children’s Lives

Fighting Preventable Blindness with the WHO
Lions and the World Health Organization are strengthening their commitment to prevent blindness. At a signing ceremony in December, Lions executive officers and WHO officers signed an agreement to continue and expand blindness prevention efforts through SightFirst. This includes increasing programs for the prevention and control of diabetic eye disease and childhood blindness. Lions will also work with WHO to strengthen 26 childhood blindness centers around the world.

Lions Clubs Strengthen Philanthropy
A new study shows what we Lions already know: Lions volunteer and give more generously than the general population. The study surveyed Lions in 12 countries worldwide in partnership with Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University and CCS. The study coincides with Lions Clubs’ 95th anniversary. Topics also included leadership and women. Read the full survey online.

Join Us Online
This month, the One Shot, One Life: Lions Measles Initiative program is launching Facebook and Twitter pages. Learn more about the program, read news updates and share stories of how your club is helping to meet the Gates Foundation Challenge Grant.

Lions Quest Awards Grants to Expand Program
Thanks to your continued generosity, LCIF is able to award more grants to help those in need. Lions Quest awarded 10 grants for US$382,345. This includes grants to launch Lions Quest in three new countries—Burkina Faso, Guatemala and MD300 Taiwan—bringing this positive life skills program to a total of 73 countries. District 22-A, Maryland, USA, was awarded a grant to continue Lions Quest in Baltimore. View the success of this program online. A Community Partnership Grant was also awarded to District 24-E, Virginia, USA, to bring Lions Quest to all elementary schools in two districts.

Winner of the Inaugural Lions/PAAO Award in Blindness Prevention
LCIF and the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology are recognizing excellence in the field of blindness prevention with the inaugural awarding of a grant. The award will be presented on an annual basis to an ophthalmologist of the host country of the PAAO Regional Course or Congress to celebrate local efforts in blindness prevention. The award is made possible through the LCIF SightFirst program and consists of a US$1,000 grant and a travel budget. Dr. Zuluaga Botero was selected as the winner and will be presented with the grant award during the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology’s Regional Course in Cartagena in February.

SightFirst Research Grant Request for Proposals
LCIF provides funds to support public health research initiatives that evaluate and directly influence the operation of the SightFirst program. Grants of up to US$100,000 are available. The deadline for Letters of Intent is February 20, 2012. The full Request for Proposal includes details on the grant criteria and application process.

One Shot, One Life: Lions Measles Initiative Update
Every day a quiet storm needlessly takes the lives of 450 children. Yet for less than US$1, we can provide life-long immunity and the chance at life. Lions, we can save 157 million children through One Shot, One Life: Lions Measles Initiative, a partnership with the Measles Initiative. The Gates Foundation is challenging Lions to mobilize US$10 million with a matching grant of US$1 for every US$2 raised by Lions. LCIF has received two large donations to help meet this challenge: US$250,000 from Multiple District 300 Taiwan and US$10,000 from International Director Seiki Yamaura from Japan. All Lions are encouraged to support this program and help meet the challenge. Donations are eligible for MJF recognition.