Lions Clubs
Campaign SightFirst II
By the time you finish reading this page, one child somewhere in
the world will have gone blind. One goes blind every minute. Half-a-million will
have lost their sight by the end of the year.
Childhood blindness is only one part of the global vision
crisis. If nothing is done, experts say that the world’s blind population
could double from 37 million to 74 million by 2020.
But the Lions Club will not allow “nothing to be done.” True
to their commitment to be “knights of the blind,” Lions Clubs International have launched
Campaign SightFirst II to prevent this tragedy. CSFII has set out to raise at
least US$150 million to continue and expand the extraordinary work of SightFirst,
Lions' worldwide program to combat preventable blindness.
Members of the Burbank Noon Lions are joining fellow Lions
worldwide in this campaign, said Marva Murphy, a member of the Noon Lions board
of directors.
As a result of the Lions initial SightFirst campaign, sight was
saved or restored to 27 million people and eye care improved for more than 100
million people around the world. The new campaign, SightFirst II will continue
this effort and expand services including research into blindness as a result of
Diabetes, a disease that is rapidly increasing in developed countries.
The Burbank Noon Lions Club was recently recognized by Lions
Club International as one of the top five clubs in the Lions’ District 4-L1,
made up of 46 clubs, to achieve the highest per capita giving to the campaign.
Pledges were received from individual members, supporters in the community and
club fundraising.
Burbank Noon Lions provide free eye screening and glasses for
low-income Burbank residents, as well as free hearing aids based on income under
the Club's Ear of the Lion program. Free eye screenings for the public
will be offered from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. by the Lions as part of Burbank Fire
Service Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 10th at the Fire Services Building,
corner of Orange Grove and Third Street. A pancake breakfast will be from
7:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Tax-deductible contributions are still being accepted for
SightFest II and can be made by contacting Murphy at (818) 955-8018. More
information about Lions and SightFest II is available at www.burbanknoonlionsclub.org
For more information, contact Marva Murphy at (818) 955-8018 or
e-mail her at mm@2m4pr.com
www.BurbankWire.com
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