In 1990, Lions established SightFirst, a $143.5 million global initiative to fight the major causes of preventable and reversible blindness. The unprecedented program joins Lions volunteers with blindness prevention experts and organizations and governments. SightFirst has:
- provided more than 7.6 million cataract surgeries
- built or expanded 300 eye hospitals
- supported more than 131 million treatments to prevent river blindness
- improved eye care in 102 countries around the world.
Lions clubs support other sight-related activities. Lions clubs and members:
- provide 600,000 free professional glaucoma screenings and make 25,000 corneal transplants possible each year
- establish and support a majority of the world’s eye banks, hundreds of clinics, hospitals and eye research centers worldwide
- collect more than 6 million pairs of used eyeglasses annually for free distribution to those in need in developing countries
- offer screenings, eyeglasses and sports goggles to athletes through the Special Olympics-Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes Program
- provide free quality eye care, eyeglasses, Braille-writers, large print texts, white canes and guide dogs for thousands of people each year.
In response, District 4C-1 has established group coordinators to assist individual clubs with their fundraising activities. Lion VDG Steve Robeson (467-3791) serves as the District
Coordinator while these Lions will work with individual clubs:
- Lorraine Dusi 530 788-3891 Weaverville, Hayfork, Lewiston, Trinity Lake
- Genevieve Hobson 530 243-4545 Anderson, Cottonwood, Happy Valley, Redding Breakfast, Redding Host
- Bob Garr 530 722-0715 Enterprise, Palo Cedro, Shingletown
- Joy Artusy 530 238-2024 Lakehead, Shasta Lake
- Verne Kendall 530 842-5248 Yreka Host, Happy Camp
- Mary Butzlaff 530 918-9195 Dunsmuir, Mt. Shasta
- Dianna Hockett 530 294-5875 Alturas, Big Valley
- Jeff Miller 530 467-3681 Etna, Fort Jones, Scott Valley Lioness/Lions
- Steve Wallenburg 530 899-1275 Chico Breakfast, Chico Host, Forrest Ranch
- Dan Lolmaugh 530 846-6650 Biggs, Gridley, Live Oak, Oroville Host
- Bob Marsh 530 527-5439 Hamilton City, Red Bluff, Willows
- John O’Donnell 530 836-0130 Chester, Graeagle, Quincy
- Becki Stange 530 873-1819 Paradise Host, Paradise Business & Professional
- Wayne Shatswell 530 742-5266 Foothill, Linda, Marysville, Linda, Wheatland, Yuba Feather
- PDG Jim Newman 530 755-7302 Colusa, Meridian, Sutter
- Patti Jenkins 530 846-4803 Peach Bowl, Sunset Buttes, Yuba City Pride
- Liz Packenham 530 222-6820 Burney, Fall River, Mountain
Additional Links:
Lions Eye Health Program
Eye Care America
In July 2004, CSFII was endorsed by the Board of Directors in a show of continued support for the program. This rejuvenated campaign will be conducted on a three-year timetable with intensive fund raising at the local level scheduled for 2006-2008.