The club is very involved in the community through its service and fundraising activities. Our projects include:
Pilot Dogs, Inc. - We support Pilot Dogs of Columbus, Inc., in the purchase, training, and placement of Guide Dogs in the community.
White Cane Days - This project gets our members out in the community at various banks and retail stores where we accept donations, talk to people, and give out stickers.
The Eyesight Newspaper - Our largest fundraising project is our annual club newspaper. Now in its 21st year, The Eyesight has been increasingly successful while also making the community more aware of Lions and the work we do. Money is raised through the sale of advertisements placed by local businesses and individuals, as well as by donations collected during distribution of the paper by our members.
Raffles and Sales - The club has many of these, including the Rose Day Sale (a dozen roses for $16.00) for Mother's Day, Lions Mints (for sale at local restaurants and businesses), and various raffles.
Special Olympics - Each year we have a "Casino" game in tent city for the participants in the Ohio Special Olympics, and the players win a stuffed animal, t-shirt or other prize. Everyone goes home a winner, especially the Lions who participate in this project.
Eyeglass Placement - Our club has approved the purchase of eyeglasses for a great number of area residents. We also collect old eyeglasses to be refurbished for those in need.
Lions Sensory Garden - Garden maintained by our members at the Ohio State School for the Blind
Many community service projects have been carried out during the history of the club. In the past these included a Little League Football program, blood donor drives, glaucoma screenings, eye examinations, and eye operations. Currently, we support Ohio Lions Eye Research, Pilot Dogs, Inc., Central Ohio Lions Eye Bank, Newsreel for the Blind, Salvation Army, International Relations, Lions Club International Foundation, Inc., scholarships, Canine Companions for Independence, Camp Echoing Hills, and diabetes research. We are a seven time winner of the International Understanding Award. The club has participated in Lions Club Exchange with England and New Zealand.
Our club is always looking for new ways to get more involved in the community, and also to reach more people who are willing to help our efforts or join the club. If you have any questions, or wish to know more about us, please email
Lion Ray Empson.