Lions Donate $150K to Society for the Blind

Society for the Blind has received a Vision 2020 campaign donation of $150,000 from the Northern California Lions Sight Association (NCLSA) and the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) to support the expansion of the Low Vision Clinic and training space at Society for the Blind.

The Northern California Lions Sight Association donated $75,000 to purchase equipment and vision testing devices for the Low Vision Clinic. NCLSA then secured a matching grant of $75,000 from LCIF to be used toward the expansion of the training center, including an indoor orientation and mobility course.

“Lions Clubs across the world have a long, steadfast history of supporting organizations that help people with vision loss, so we are deeply honored that the Lions chose to invest in Society for the Blind here in Sacramento,” said Shari Roeseler, executive director, Society for the Blind and member of the Senator Lions Club. “The generosity of both the regional and international Lions means that more people across California who are experiencing vision loss will have access to critical assessment and treatment.”

As the only comprehensive vision rehabilitation center in the Sacramento region, Society for the Blind is a critical resource for people who are blind or have low vision. The Low Vision Clinic provides eye care, vision rehabilitation and training on assistive devices at its locations in Sacramento and Roseville. The expansion at Society for the Blind will add 5,000 square feet of multi-purpose space, a conference room, music room and new teaching kitchen for the Senior IMPACT Project, in addition to the orientation and mobility course.

Lions District 4-C5 District Governor Douglas Wight stated, NCLSA’s Constitution and Bylaws provides, “The purpose of NCLSA is to further the principles of Lionism and enlarge upon the international concept of bringing greater stability and independence to those individuals with visual and other deficiencies, by providing and/or supporting services and programs of organizations to perpetuate such purpose.” 

When Shari Roeseler reached out to the Board of Directors of NCLSA announcing the plan to expand the Low Vision Clinic, the NCLSA Board recognized Society’s fit into that single paragraph. NCLSA saw the need to assist Society for the Blind by making the donation and obtaining a matching grant from LCIF, the funding arm of Lions Clubs International. LCIF also saw the need and approved the matching grant. Wight further stated that members of District 4-C5 Lions are looking forward to the completion of the project.

Lions Clubs International is the largest service organization in the world with more than 1.4 million members. The organization’s mission is to support the efforts of Lions clubs and partners in serving communities locally and globally, giving hope and impacting lives through humanitarian service projects and grants. For more information, visit LionsClubs.org.

Members of the Northern CA Lions Sight Association board joined Lions District 4-C5 Governor, Doug Wight and Treasurer, Sheri Retzlaff, (holding check) in presenting the $150,000 grant check to Society for the Blind executive director, Shari Roeseler.
Members of the Northern CA Lions Sight Association board joined Lions District 4-C5 Governor, Doug Wight and Treasurer, Sheri Retzlaff, (holding check) in presenting the $150,000 grant check to Society for the Blind executive director, Shari Roeseler.