Sierra Vista Lions Club - Lions e-Clubhouse

SIERRA VISTA LIONS CLUB SERVICE PROJECTS

MAKE A BLANKET MORNING: This is our newest service project. We've partnered with the Salvation Army and Project Linus to hold 'Make-A-Blanket Mornings' at the Salvation Army Building, 180 E. Wilcox Dr., Sierra Vista. This project is open to anyone who'd like to help us cut out and tie the fringe edges on “No-Sew” fleece blankets. If you aren't able to cut or tie fleece, you're welcome to use our permanent fabric markers to color in pre-printed images on fabric squares that'll be assembled into quilts at a later date. Completed blankets are delivered to children (0-18 years old) who are seriously ill, traumatized, or need a sense of security, warmth, comfort and love.

Our ‘Make a Blanket Mornings' are open to anyone who'd like to help make the blankets. We'll post flyers for future Make a Blanket Mornings on our Home page, Instagram and Facebook pages. (We provide complimentary light refreshments while they last.)

Although the blankets we complete are no-sew fleece ones, Project Linus accepts donations of all NEW, HANDMADE, WASHABLE blanket styles (including quilts, tied comforters, fleece blankets, crocheted or knitted afghans, and receiving blankets in child-friendly colors). Please note that Project Linus blankets must be of excellent quality and free from contaminants. Special care should be taken to ensure that blankets are free of smoky smells or any chemicals which could cause problems for a child. Ensure that blankets are free of pet or animal hair and that all pins have been removed.

Requested blanket sizes, additional dos and don'ts and the local Project Linus POC information can be found at:

Blanket Guidelines (projectlinustucson.org)

Many of the Project Linus patterns can be found at:

Patterns / Links - Project Linus Project Linus

Completed 'No-sew' fleece blanket:

Completed quilt made with pre-printed images that volunteers colored in:

PROVIDE EYEGLASSES: Whenever possible, the Sierra Vista Lions Club funds sight related needs (such as eye exams and glasses) for adults in our local community providing there is a financial need. Click on the "Eyeglass Requests & Collection Sites" tab for applicant criteria and application form.

VISION SCREENING: The Sierra Vista Lions Club, in coordination with other participating Lions Clubs and community volunteers throughout Cochise County, conducts a Vision Screening Program that is available to all schools and daycare facilities throughout the county. So far over 10,000 pre-school/school age children and young adults have been screened during the past school year. Read about this program on our Vision Screening Program page.

EYEGLASS COLLECTION: We have collection boxes in several locations throughout Sierra Vista. The glasses are collected and counted, then sent to be distributed to those in need around the world. The Sierra Vista Lions Club also collects hearing aids. The collection sites are listed on the "Eyeglass Requests & Collection Sites" page of this website.

EYEGLASS SORTING & RECYCLING: The Sierra Vista Lions Club assists with the Arizona Lions Eyeglass Recycling Terminal (ALERT) eyeglass sorting and recycling at the Huachuca City Lions Club.

Each month, we sort, evaluate, and clean hundreds of donated eyeglasses. Volunteers “read” useable glasses with a lensometer to determine the prescription strength, then package and label each pair with the prescription strength. The packaged glasses are taken up to the Arizona Lions Eyeglass Recycling Terminal (ALERT) in Tucson for further processing and distribution.

Lions Clubs and other volunteer humanitarian groups give the glasses to less fortunate individuals in developing countries where eye care is often unaffordable and inaccessible. Lions eyeglass recycling programs make a lasting impact on thousands of lives, one person at a time. YOU CAN TOO!!!

VERIFYING PRESCRIPTIONS OF DONATED EYEGLASSES: We provide volunteers who “read” useable glasses with a lensometer to determine the prescription strength; then package and label each pair with the prescription strength.The packaged glasses are taken up to the Arizona Lions Eyeglass Recycling Terminal (ALERT) in Tucson for further processing and distribution.

Lions Clubs and other volunteer humanitarian groups give the glasses to less fortunate individuals in developing countries where eye care is often unaffordable and inaccessible. Our Lions eyeglass recycling programs make a lasting impact on thousands of lives, one person at a time. YOU CAN TOO!!!

Although our primary mission is to assist those with sight & hearing-related needs, the Sierra Vista Lions Club provides many other services to our community, such as:

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY'S "RELAY FOR LIFE" - The Sierra Vista Lions Club sponsored the "SV Lions Roar" team comprised of 8 Lions and raised $1,700 for the American Cancer Society. SVLC Lions manned our booth, handed out childhood cancer information, a "Cancer and Your Eyes" handout, and information about our Lions Club and also Lions Clubs International.

DONATION TOWARDS CHILDREN'S PEDIATRIC CANCER RESEARCH/SUPPORT: We provide funding to the St. Judes Children's Research Hospital. These funds are used to provide much needed resources for those affected by childhood cancer.

CAN RECYCLING: We collect and donate aluminum cans to the local Nancy J. Brua Animal Care Center for recycling. Their staff recycles the aluminum cans to raise funding for sick and injured stray animals and other general shelter needs.

CHRISTMAS DRIVES: We provide both funding and support to our local Christmas drives.

DOMESTIC CRISIS SHELTER: We provide support to our local Domestic Crisis Shelter. The shelter provides various services for women & children who are victims of domestic violence including lodging for up to 45 days.

FLAGS FOR FIRST GRADERS: Each year in February, near Arizona’s birthday, our club goes to 6 elementary schools and presents each first grader with a small American flag.

We perform a ceremony that includes a brief history of the flag and lead the class in a pledge to the flag. We explain to them that it’s their personal flag, how to take care of it and its importance. The Lions then remind them to be proud of their flag and to be proud to be an American.

These first graders have been learning to say the pledge of allegiance, have talked about our country, its flag, and our presidents before this assembly so this event reinforces the importance of our flag.

FORREST DOERNER LIONS LINEAR PARK: Provide caretaking assistance for the park as needed.

SPECIAL NEEDS CAMP: We provide funding and support for Lions Camp Tatiyee in Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ. The Mission of Lions Camp Tatiyee is to provide a camping experience for challenged individuals, among their peers, that encourages independence and self-confidence. This link takes you to theIr camp webpsite: Lions Camp Tatiyee - Home

VOLUNTEER AT LOCAL SCHOOL LIBRARY: We provide volunteer assistance at a local school library.

YOUTH EXCHANGE: Provide funding and support for the Arizona Lions International Youth Exchange (aka C. Kirby Smithe). The mission of the Youth Exchange is to encourage and sponsor the exchange of youth between countries of the world and to foster the feeling of good will and understanding between the youth of the world.

YOUTH SCHOLARSHIPS: We award two scholarships each year to deserving Buena High School seniors. Details are listed on the "Scholorship" page of our website.