Serving the Visually Impaired of Concord, NC and Lions District 31 I.
Fundraisers
Concord Lions Club: A Mission to Care, to Enrich, and to Serve our North Carolina Citizens.
Adults and teens are invited to unite with other Lions to show kindness and include diversity as we serve others in your community. Volunteer as little or as much as you are able.
The work of the North Carolina Lions is focused on three primary areas:
Services and programs for persons with blindness and visual impairment.
Focus on the prevention and treatment of vision loss.
Provide aid to our North Carolina citizens.
VIPs VIP is a term we use for our Visual Impaired Persons. The Lion member is the VIP’s single point of contact to the Concord Lions Club. These people are blind or visually impaired. We have about 20 VIP in the Concord area that we serve. We assign our Lion members to sponsor at least one VIP to check in with them and to serve as able. LEOS As the youngest members of Lions Clubs International, Leos embody the best qualities of our incredible organization. They are devoted young people who realize the power of action. Together, Leos and Lions form a powerful partnership—one of mutual respect, where Lions learn from the innovative insights of Leos, and where Leos gain access to the proven strategies of those who’ve successfully served the world for decades. Concord Leos meet twice monthly at Concord Middle School (may be impacted by COVID-19)
WAYS TO SERVE AND VOLUNTEER:
EyeGlass Recycling We gather used eyeglasses from area eye doctors, eyeglass retailers, and public donations. We check them for obvious defects; then sort and send the good ones to Lions International for use in other countries. By law, they cannot be used in the USA. We sort the glasses a couple of times a year it approximately 800 to 1000 glasses at a time. Volunteer options: The public is invited to bring used eyeglasses (with or without prescription lenses) to drop boxes located at Cabarrus Senior Center, Cabarrus Eye Center. Lions members pickup occasionally, then pack and send to NC Lions Inc where Lions members sort glasses at Camp Dogwood for the Blind (NC Lions Inc) Eyeglasses Drop Off: https://goo.gl/maps/uBuzpu1mffG849wc7 Cabarrus County Senior Center
Hearing Aids Recycling We gather used hearing aids, any make or model, regardless of age. The donated hearing aids are sold for salvage value and proceeds support the Deaf & Blind Retreat held at Camp Dogwood each year. Volunteer options: Public invited to bring used hearing aides to drop boxes located at Cabarrus Senior Center, Cabarrus Eye Center where Lions members pickup occasionally, then pack and send to NC Lions Inc
Cell Phone Recycling We gather used cell phones, any make or model, regardless of age. The donated phones are sold for salvage value and proceeds support the programs of North Carolina Lions each year. Volunteer options: The public is invited to bring old cellphones to drop boxes located at Cabarrus Senior Center, Cabarrus Eye Center. Lions members pickup occasionally, then pack and send to NC Lions Inc.
Medicine Bottle Collection In many countries medicine is available in bulk, but there is no way for people to get the medicine home. We collect used medicine bottles, ensure the labels are removed and send them to Lions International to be distributed. Volunteer options: Public invited to donate empty pill bottles, (with label removed) Lions members pickup occasionally, then pack and send.
Mobile Eye Screening (MSU) – “The Vision Van” Our fundraisers pay for the purchase, upkeep, and operation of the unit. We schedule the Mobile Screening Unit at least one time a year where our Concord Lion members help running the eye screening machines such as the usual Eye Chart, a Peripheral Vision test, and an Eye Pressure Test. Then, a volunteer Eye Care Doctor interprets the tests to make a determination if a more formal eye exam is needed. This is not a real eye exam but a screening. We administer up to 60 screenings on the day. Volunteer options: Lions Members volunteer to assist with check-in or to run the tests for the day scheduled
Pediatric Eye Screening We recently raised over $9,000 to purchase an eye screening tool for children to determine if there may be any eye issues. This tool can determine eye issues in a matter of seconds without touching the child. Early detection can provide parents with options to correct problems that may go undetected until reading age or later. Volunteer options: Lions Members volunteer to assist with check-in or to run the tests for the day scheduled
Eye Glasses and Exams We partner with Cabarrus County DSS or the Community Free Clinic to determine the eligibility of financial need for people to receive an eye exam and/or glasses. Once referred, we will pay up to $200 for an exam and glasses. We appreciate the local Eye Care Doctors that work with us.
White Canes The white canes that visually impaired people use are provided by North Carolina Lions. Our fundraisers support this project. https://nclionsinc.orgAmerican Flag Display – Fundraiser Volunteer options: A small team of Concord Lions installs the pole anchor for new households and businesses that signup to donate $30 annually to participate in the flag display. However, many small teams are needed to drive across Concord to put up and take down the flag during the 10 flag display holidays, weather permitting. Order a Flag Online!Lions Brooms – Fundraiser Volunteer options Lions are well known for the quality brooms sold as an ongoing fundraiser. The public is invited to order a broom, knowing their donation supports many in our community. Brooms https://goo.gl/maps/7Gur9wKShtHyzCcTA Forest Hill United Methodist Friday Hot Dog Sale (currently not having Friday hotdogs due to Covid-10) Link to Broom order website
WAY TO CONNECT WITH VIPs IN OUR COMMUNITY:
VIP Summer Camp at Camp Dogwood Since 1967, Camp Dogwood is a beacon for the Blind and Visually Impaired citizens across North Carolina. Every summer, up to 880 campers visit the 56 acres on the shores of Lake Norman to enjoy relaxation while developing friendships. The Concord Lions Club, along with other Lions Clubs in the state, pay for our VIPs that wish to spend a week for a week that can include fishing, boat riding, games, and programs. Volunteer options: Lions Members volunteer to stay in a cabin and assist the VIP with activities and meals.
VIP Spring Picnic We sponsor a picnic at a local park for our VIPs usually the first Tuesday in May. We serve hamburgers with fixings and play bingo and socialize afterward. Volunteer options: Lions Members volunteer to prepare & service lunch and assist the VIP with activities
VIP Fishing Tournament The three-day event attracts more than 350 visually impaired persons, 130 sighted guests, and 300 volunteers to the Outer Banks each year for a fishing tournament and educational, recreational, and personal growth opportunities. Prizes are awarded by the number of fish caught and size. Volunteer options: Lions Members volunteer to attend the 3 days event to assist the VIPs in this unique experience. Link to VIP Fishing `
VIP Christmas Dinner We sponsor a dinner for our VIPs, usually the first Tuesday in December, which includes a short Christmas Program. Volunteer options: Lions Members assist with setup and/or attend dinner with our VIPs
Our fundraisers pay for the purchase, upkeep, and operation of the unit. We schedule the Mobile Screening Unit at least one time a year where our Concord Lion members help running the eye screening machines such as the usual Eye Chart, a Peripheral Vision test, and an Eye Pressure Test. Then, a volunteer Eye Care Doctor interprets the tests to make a determination if a more formal eye exam is needed. This is not a real eye exam but a screening. We administer up to 60 screenings on the day. Volunteer options: Lions Members volunteer to assist with check-in or to run the tests for the day scheduled
Pediatric Eye Screening We recently raised over $9,000 to purchase an eye screening tool for children to determine if there may be any eye issues. This tool can determine eye issues in a matter of seconds without touching the child. Early detection can provide parents with options to correct problems that may go undetected until reading age or later. Volunteer options: Lions Members volunteer to assist with check-in or to run the tests for the day scheduled
Eye Glasses and Exams We partner with Cabarrus County DSS or the Community Free Clinic to determine the eligibility of financial need for people to receive an eye exam and/or glasses. Once referred, we will pay up to $200 for an exam and glasses. We appreciate the local Eye Care Doctors that work with us.
White Canes The white canes that visually impaired people use are provided by North Carolina Lions. Our fundraisers support this project. https://nclionsinc.org
American Flag Display – Fundraiser Volunteer options: A small team of Concord Lions installs the pole anchor for new households and businesses that signup to donate $30 annually to participate in the flag display. However, many small teams are needed to drive across Concord to put up and take down the flag during the 10 flag display holidays, weather permitting. Order a Flag Online!
Lions Brooms – Fundraiser Volunteer options Lions are well known for the quality brooms sold as an ongoing fundraiser. The public is invited to order a broom, knowing their donation supports many in our community. Brooms https://goo.gl/maps/7Gur9wKShtHyzCcTA Forest Hill United Methodist Friday Hot Dog Sale (currently not having Friday hotdogs due to Covid-10) Link to Broom order website
