History/Purpose
In 1925, Helen Keller challenged Lions to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness” during the Lions Clubs International convention. Today, Lions Clubs of Oregon volunteers work hard to raise funds in order to assist qualified Oregonians in obtaining vision exams and new eyeglasses. Most of Oregon 's Lions Clubs also provide hearing exams and rebuilt used hearing aids with a 6 month warranty for those who don't otherwise have the ability to purchase them. This program is made available primarily to those individuals who do not have insurance that covers vision and hearing and whose income falls at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level Guidelines . Some clubs also have length of residency requirements and other policies as determined by the individual Lions Club.
For many of Oregon 's Lions Clubs, the process works like this:
• The applicant (or their case manager or person assisting them) should call the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation at 503-827-6952 or 1-800-635-4667 and we will refer them to a local Lions Club volunteer, normally the Club's Sight and Hearing Chairperson or President for assistance. In the greater Portland area, we will need a zip code of where you are living (physical zip code, not P.O. box). If homeless, we still need a zip code of where the person stays so we can refer them to the closest Lions Club for assistance.
• After a quick phone assessment, the Club's Sight and Hearing Chair will then either make an appointment to meet with the individual to help him/her to fill out a financial application, or in the case of some Clubs, will mail it to the applicant. If mailed to the applicant, the applicant then fills out the form and returns it to the local Lions Club contact for processing. Please do NOT send completed forms to the Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation, as it is the club that funds the program and processes the applications. If they are sent to the Foundation, the application will be delayed.
Note: It is important to let the Club contact know if you have a current exam when you call. If there is a LensCrafters Store in your area, when you already have a current exam, once you're approved for assistance, the Club may be able to give you a letter to take to LensCrafters Store to get a free pair of eyeglasses (there will be some restrictions for this program). If you have a current hearing exam, the Club may be able to work with your current audiologist for ordering and fitting your hearing aid(s).
3. If the application is approved, the Club will then notify the applicant where to go for an exam and eyeglasses or hearing aid(s). The clubs negotiate rates with local providers and each club will try to find a provider within their area to minimize the amount of travel required by the applicant for services.
Once approved, the Club Contact may find it necessary to put you on a waiting list. The clubs use funds that have been raised by or donated to their club and receive no government funds. The demand constantly increases and sometimes a club is just unable to meet the need. Please be patient if this happens. We will not refer you to another Lions club for assistance, as most of the clubs in the area are equally inundated with requests.
Some clubs or areas within the state have processes that are a little different than those described above. The Lions Club Contact can tell you how the process works for their club.
For individuals whose income may exceed the allowed limit, we have made available a list of other low cost/no cost options for eyeglasses. For hearing aid options, you may contact AUDIENT at 1.877.283.4368, or Hear Now at 1.800.648.4327.
To download an application form for Eyeglass or Hearing Aid assistance, click here .
Contact Information
Sherry Yarger, Administrative Assistant and Programs Coordinator, 503.827.6952 ext. 10, sherry.yarger@orlions.org .
Lions Clubs of Oregon Hotline, 503.413.8091.
Salem Area, 503.370.2917, answering service for the Salem area Lions Clubs.
Eugene Area, 541.484.0452, MD-36 Lions District Office, www.lionsclubsof@earthlink.net
Medford Area, 541.779.3653, Southern Oregon Lions Sight and Hearing Center
Clark County Washington, 360.750.9157 for Sight, 360.690.4327 for Hearing
Northwest Lions Foundation, 1.800.847.5786, info@nlfoundation.org
Idaho/Eastern Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation, 1.800.546.6889, www.Idaholions.org
Lions Clubs International, www.lionsclubs.org , for other out of state or out of country callers. There is a club locator link on this site which enables you to search by country, state, and city for Lions clubs.
