Since 2005, AFL-CIO Community Services has teamed with the three area Lions Clubs to distribute glasses to adults and children living in St Joseph without insurance or medical assistance, and those on Medicare or Medicaid who are between prescription renewals. Because of the program, nearly 2,700 people have applied for glasses through the program – glasses critical for work, injury avoidance and optic health.
Program Basics
- Approximately 1,500 people have been given a pair of glasses through the program.
- It is a group effort: Clients apply for the program through the agency. Family Guidance provide referrals for the eye exams. The exams are funded by The United Way. Local optometrists provide the exams and fit the clients with glasses. The three Lions Clubs fund it as a group cause.
- In 2022, 61 people applied for new glasses and 20 received a pair of glasses at a value of $2,889.
The Partnership
In 2014, the St Joseph Host Lions Club awarded the Edwin Dalstrom Distinguished Service Award to the agency for our commitment to help make this program possible.
Without the partnership, many people in the community would go without eyeglasses. When the Lions Clubs approached the agency about the partnership, they were prepared to end the program; a lack of manpower for administering the program had created too many hurdles for the clubs to overcome. The agency decided the partnership would be well worth the time when compared to the benefits the recipients would gain. In 2008, an additional partner to the program was Family Guidance and the united Way. They provide the referrals and funding for eye exams. Since the beginning, it has been team effort, and we plan to continue working with this group to offer this valuable service.