White Cane & Vision Programs

As Lions, we need to remember our challenge by Helen Keller, to be “Knights for the Blind”. We need to focus our energy on making this year’s “White Cane” the best year yet!

The Oklahoma Lions Service Foundation is 50 years old!
 

In September of 1974 the Oklahoma Lions Service Foundation is celebrating their 50th Anniversary on Sept 21, 2024, at the OKC Westside Town Hall. We will start the celebration at 6:00 PM with a “Dining in the Dark Diner”, followed by a look back at OLSF History of Service. This will include how much the Lions have contributed to needy Oklahoman’s. We will have a live Auction with items for a date night and other “goodies”. There will be games and a 50/50 drawing, testimony of a special recipient, and end on a note for raising funds for “White Cane”.


The Service Foundation has become more than just the fundraising arm for Oklahoma Lions service projects. It started with the great idea to raise funds for our two state projects at the time, The Oklahoma Lions Eye Bank and The Oklahoma Lions Boys Ranch. The partnership restored eyesight to the blind and assisted young boys with a brighter future. Now, we have three additional projects: The Mobile Health Screening Unit, KidSight, and the Eye Glass Recycling Program.


Oklahoma Lions have supported the foundation with tax deductible donations to assist the state projects and aid many Oklahomans in need. This year we are focusing on Vision Health and how our health affects our daily lives. Too many people call the office each week desperately needing assistance with Vision correction and or Hearing aids. We were awarded a 100K matching grant by OCCF to start this partnership and help even more people in our state. We will be focusing on “White Cane” education and fundraising to raise the matching funds for this program.


When I started in 2014, I had no idea how much the Lions of Oklahoma did for our state. I am so very proud to be a Lion and proud to Serve. Now, ten years later I am even more impressed and happy to be a part of something so much greater than myself. Oklahoma Lions are still strong because of YOU! Lions are a National Treasure and so are our International Lions. Please come and join us for an evening of celebration! The Celebration of Oklahoma and the Lions here that SERVE! 

Oklahoma Lions White Cane & Vision Care Programs

Throughout the world, the long white cane is used by people who are blind or visually impaired as a tool for safe and reliable navigation. The white cane is a symbol of the user’s skills and talents, mobility and independence. It also allows the sighted person to recognize that the user is visually impaired. Several countries have traffic laws designed to protect the person using the white cane. International White Cane Safety Day (October 15th) gives Lions an opportunity to increase awareness of the white cane traffic safety laws. “White Cane Day is observed worldwide to recognize the movement of blind people from dependency to full participation in society.”

While White Cane Safety Day nationally is October 15th however, Oklahoma Lions have traditionally observed White Cane in April. In 2023, the Oklahoma Lions Service Foundation (OLSF) and the Ok Lions decided to observe White Cane in October instead of April as we have done previously. OLSF strives to bring awareness to fellow Oklahomans regarding the issues visually impaired individuals face as well as raise funds to support Oklahoma Lions vision programs.  If your club would like white cane trifold flyers, please contact the OLSF office and we can send you some. 

The Oklahoma Lions Service Foundation strives to bring awareness to fellow Oklahomans regarding the issues visually impaired individuals face as well as raise funds to support Oklahoma Lions vision programs. Please consider supporting your Lions State projects and assisting these young Leos with a vision for increasing Lions across Oklahoma! This is our Oklahoma’s Future!

Thank you to all the Oklahoma Lions Clubs who participated in the 2023-2024 White Cane Fundraiser this year!

  • Ada Lions Club
  • Ardmore Lions Club
  • OKC Northwest Lions Club
  • Stillwater Lions Club
  • Lawton Noon Lions Club
  • Lomega Lions Club
  • Miami Lions Club
  • Mulhall-Orlando Lions Club
  • McAlester Lions Club
  • Pocola Lions Club
  • Seminole Lions Club
  • Lions of Oklahoma at State Convention at St Crispins
Oklahoma City Community Foundation Legacy Endowment Program 
Oklahoma Lions Service Foundation, the Ok Lions Eye Bank, and the Ok Lions Meadows of Hope all have endowments at the Oklahoma City Community Foundation. An Endowment is like a savings account that only spends the interest. Our Endowment fund with the Oklahoma City Community Foundation grants us 5% of the fund each year. The remainder continues to grow in value. When you give to our endowment fund, you are giving a gift to our future! Give to our future by clicking here: donate.occf.org/

Oklahoma Lions Vision Programs: The Oklahoma State Office receives several phone calls a day from fellow Oklahomans desperately needing assistance with vision needs. While we have several agencies and clubs that support this effort, we need to improve our ability to provide services. This year OLSF would like to increase awareness of this need and organize a growth strategy for increasing services. OLSF recognizes and appreciates Lions Clubs that provide services in cooperation with local health care providers. It is our goal to increase these services with the help of Lions throughout the state.