"We Serve" is the Lions' Motto. The mission of the Grand Island Lions Club is to help those in need in our community with special emphasis on the vision and hearing impaired, and children with disabilities. Major fundraisers include a spaghetti dinner in the spring and a "White Cane" drive in August. Our major event is the "Special Kids Picnic" in July when over one thousand special needs children from the Erie-Niagara area are treated to a picnic that includes a lunch along with boat rides, pony rides, and other entertainment. We also perform MTI Photo-screening of children's eyes (for early detection of eye disease) coordinated through the local school systems. In addition we collect eyeglasses and hearing aids for the disadvantaged and have a "loan closet" for distribution of walkers, wheelchairs and other durable goods. Our Club is also active in a number of drives both locally and internationally to help the vision impaired. Our Club also recognizes the importance of youth in our community. We participate annually in a Peace Poster Contest, which encourages our middle-school age children to creatively express their concept of world peace. We award scholarships to high school graduates, based on their community involvement, scholastic achievements and other criteria.
Type of Volunteer Needed
School Age and Above
Volunteer Skills Needed
We currently are looking for volunteers to serve as hosts and hostesses welcoming patients and clients at the Ross Eye Institute, 1176 Main Street in Buffalo. Also needed are screeners who will take photos of the eyes of preschool age children for anlysis by the physicians at the Ross. There is no contact with the children and no eye drops are needed. The photos are taken in a dimly lit room with school staff assisting.
