Looking back over LCI's century of service, Lions are known around the world for their service to the blind and visually impaired. From vision screenings and guide dog sponsorships, to supporting pediatric eye-care centers, for nearly 100 years Lions have worked to improve the lives of people who are blind or living with low vision. What became a worldwide phenomenon can be traced back to the tireless work of one extraordinary woman.

This is an excerpt from Helen Keller's speech in 1925, when she attended the Lions Clubs International Convention and challenged the Lions to become "knights of the blind inthe crusade against darkness".

"The opportunity I bring to you, Lions, is this: To foster and sponsor the work of the American Foundation for the Blind. Will you not help me hasten the day when there shall be no preventable blindness; no little deaf, blind child untaught; no blind man or woman unaided? I appeal to you Lions, you who have your sight, your hearing, you who are strong and brave and kind. Will you not constitute yourselves Knights of the Blind in this crusade against darkness?"  Helen Keller

In 1971, the Board of Directors of Lions Clubs International declared that June 1 would be remembered as Helen Keller Day. Lions around the world implement sight-related service projects on Helen Keller Day.

The Checkered Eye symbol is a simple line drawing of an eye, the center of which, the iris, is black and white checkers.  It was created by Libby Thaw, who lost a significant portion of her eyesight in adolescence. Libby was instructed to use a white cane to increase her visibility in traffic. She found if she was still carrying the cane while shopping or in other consumer activities, it was sometimes easier to get the help she needed. However, since Libby is able to see quite a bit, the cane was just as often misunderstood and ineffective in these face-to-face situations. Others with low vision say that the ID cane makes them feel conspicuous and vulnerable. There are also people with low vision who have other disabilities, which make using an ID cane difficult or impossible; for example, those who use wheelchairs or walkers. In response to these and other concerns, the Checkered Eye emblem was created.

I feel this is a noble project and should be supported by all Lions Clubs.  Morrisburg & District Lions Club is one of the first Lions club supporting this project.  Please check out Libby’s website for more information at  https://checkeredeye.com/