Lions Specific Programs
Guiding Eyes for the Blind
Raises, trains and provides guide dogs free of charge to the blind and visually impaired. The nonprofit does not receive government funding and depends on the support of individuals, corporations, foundations, and civic organizations such as Lions Clubs to fulfill its mission. 
Visions/Services for the Blind
A nonprofit rehabilitation and social service organization, serving the metropolitan area in three locations. It helps people of all ages who are blind or visually impaired lead independent and active lives in their communities. All services are free. Visions Center on Blindness (VCB), a residential rehabilitation and training center in Rockland County. In addition to funding, Lion Clubs sponsor and maintain cabins for the season’s blind campers and their families. In 2017, Visions opened the state's first residential Vocational Rehabilitation Center (VRC) on the camp grounds, providing 8-week intensive sessions of living skills, adaptive computer and technology skills and vocational rehabilitation training programs. Recycle for Sight Throughout the year, Lions collect used eyeglasses at various community locations and deliver them to regional Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers where they are cleaned, sorted by prescription strength and packaged. Recycled glasses are distributed to people in need throughout the world. See "NEWS" section for drop off locations. Local Service Groups
(Providing Funds, Volunteers and Advocacy) Cancer Support Team Provides individualized services, free of charge, including professional nursing care, counseling & support groups, case management and other support services to patients and family members living in southern Westchester County. Carver Center - Port Chester The largest and longest-running community center in the village of Port Chester, offering educational, recreational and other resources for families, adults and individuals of all ages. Carver’s building features a full court gymnasium, heated indoor pool, dance studio, classrooms, full kitchen and other multi-use spaces. CURE (Coalition for Understanding Racism through Education) A local volunteer, advocacy group in Larchmont and Mamaroneck that strives to educate the community about the structures and implications of systemic racism in our country’s institutions, as a critical part of dismantling it. Community Resource Center(CRC) Founded in 1998, CRC provides immigrant and low-income families with the resources and advocacy to prepare them to become self-reliant and thriving members of the community. The Center has grown from a community initiative and referral organization to one that provides comprehensive direct client services and programs. Friends of Karen Provides emotional, financial and advocacy support to hundreds of critically ill children and their families in the New York tristate region free of charge in order to help keep them stable, functioning, and able to cope. Friends of the Family Established by compassionate residents, Larchmont Friends of the Family has provided emotional, practical and financial support to local families facing a medical crisis or loss for over 25 years. Furniture Sharehouse As Westchester’s only furniture bank, Furniture Sharehouse collects gently used, unwanted furniture and distributes it free to economically disadvantaged families and individuals across Westchester County. |
KidSight USA
A national initiative of Lion clubs aimed at the preservation of children’s eyesight from 6 months to preschoolers thru to 18 and 19 year olds. Free vision screenings are conducted in schools by trained volunteers to detect conditions that can impede learning and even cause blindness. Those with abnormalities are referred to ophthalmologists for correction. Lions International Peace Poster Contest An annual worldwide competition in over 200 countries for 11-13 year olds, encouraging them to express their vision of world peace through art, based on a theme. The LM Lions sponsor the local contest, in cooperation with area middle schools in Larchmont, Mamaroneck, Port Chester and Rye Brook. Winning posters from each participating school advance into the international competition, with the International winner announced at a United Nations event in the spring. Leos Club Part of a global network of over 6,500 Leo clubs in more than 140 nations. Young people develop and practice leadership, organization and social skills through participation in club activities and service projects. The Lions sponsor a club at Mamaroneck High School. High School Scholarships The LM Lions award an annual Community Service Essay Contest scholarship to local High School seniors. Applicants submit a short essay describing their charitable work, its impact on the local community and how community service has made an impact on them. Girl Scouts of Larchmont Mamaroneck Serves more than 500 girls in over 50 troops in Larchmont, Mamaroneck and Rye Neck, building girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place. They are part of Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson, Inc. (GSHH). Larchmont-Mamaroneck Local Summit A volunteer community organization founded in 1995 that works to facilitate dialogue and collaboration among government, schools, non-profits, businesses and citizens through its monthly public meetings LMC Media The largest NY-based community media center outside of NY City, this award-winning media hub, has played a vital role in this region for more than 40 years connecting, creating and informing the community through the use of digital media. Pediatric Cancer Foundation A nonprofit organization that raises funds for groundbreaking research and early phase clinical trials to eradicate childhood cancer. Trials are conducted at supported hospitals, including NY Presbyterian, Memorial Sloan Kettering, Mount Sinai and NYU Langone. Salvation Army The largest non-government provider of social services in the United States and one of the largest in the world. The LM Lions support their iconic Salvation Army red kettle campaign, bell ringing in Mamaroneck and Larchmont in December Sharing Shelf Founded to address clothing insecurity and meet the basic material needs of low-income infants, children and teens in Westchester County by providing Wardrobe Packs (a week’s worth of clothing), essentials and school supplies. The STEM Alliance Bridges systemic gaps to provide equal access to critical science, technology, engineering and math learning resources with the goal of empowering communities, inspiring innovation and creating opportunity for all. Their Co-op Summer Enrichment program provides 5 weeks of academic & recreational experiences for over 200 students from all four Mamaroneck School District elementary schools. The program serves mostly families who cannot afford to attend other local summer programs. VHP (Volunteer Health Program) A nonprofit health care program which focuses on primary medical and surgical eye care to under-served rural areas in the Dominican Republic. Lions provide glasses via the Lions Recycle for Sight program. |