District, State, International Projects
All State Band
(State Project)
Each year, the Lions of Michigan sponsor over 150 high school musicians from throughout the state to participate in the international convention. The students not only march in the parade, but also present concerts at the convention and at various cities on their way to and from the convention.
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Braille Transcribing
(Districts 11-B1 and 11-C2)
Located at Jackson State Prison, this program provides over one million pages a year of Braille reading and instructional materiel for the blind.
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Diabetes Awareness
Funds from this project assist in public awareness of diabetes and its complications.
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Drug Awareness/Quest
The Quest program is being used in most school districts throughout the state to promote drug awareness and teach students about peer pressures and self esteem.
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Hearing and Speech
Funds from this project support various hearing and speech centers in District 11-B1. In particular, special testing equipment is provided for diagnosing and correcting hearing and speech problems.
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Leader Dog for the Blind
(state project)
Located in Rochester, Michigan, the Leader Dog School graduates over 300 guide dogs each year. These dogs are provided to recipients at no charge.
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Lions Club International Foundation
(International Project)
This program provides grants to various humanitarian programs throughout the world. A new program, Campaign Sightfirst, targets preventable and curable blindness. over $140 million was raised for this project. The Michigan Eye Bank in Ann Arbor was the recipient of a $50,000 grant which aided in construction of the eye bank research center.
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Lions of Michigan Service Foundation
(Multiple District Project)
Founded in 1984 this program provides funds for sight and hearing conservation, unmet medical needs of individuals, emergency disaster relief, LMSF has distributed over $750,000 in grants throughout the state.
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Michigan Eye Bank and Transplantation Center
(State Project)
Located in Ann Arbor, the Michigan Eye Bank provides over 1,000 corneas each year for transplant. In addition, a similar number of corneas are used in research and teaching.
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Penrickton Center
(Multiple District Project)
This program teaches various living and learning skills to blind, multiply handicapped children ranging in age from two years to early teens. Twenty six students spend five days per week at the center in a residential program.
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Project Focus Hope
Established in 1992 by a Battle Creek area Lion who is a registered nurse, this project provides support for a micro-hospital in a remote area outside of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, that addresses the medical needs of local peasants.
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Radio Talking Book
(District 11-B1 and 11-C2)
Broadcasting from Michigan State University through WKAR-FM, this project offers news, books stock market reports, and other information to sight-impaired people 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Special radio receivers are supplied to qualified listeners at no charge.
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Sightmobile
The sightmobile is equipped with vision screening instruments and is manned by Lions and Lioness clubs at various events throughout the district. Thousands of people are screened free of charge each year for sight problems and referred to medical specialists as required.
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Welcome Home for the Blind
(State Project)
Welcome Home located in Grand Rapids, is a retirement center for three dozen blind persons from all over Michigan. Residents must be capable of independent living, although meals are provided.
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Winter Camp for the Blind
On the first weekend of February each year, over 100 blind persons participate in a special winter camp near Battle Creek. Activities include cross country skiing, hay rides, making homemade ice cream, and a talent show.