Fellow Lions, Families and Friends, It was in 1925 at the Lions International Convention in Cedar Falls, Iowa. The guest speaker was a remarkable woman named Helen Keller, a tireless advocate for people with disabilities. The end of her presentation to the Lions in attendance was to challenge Lions Clubs International to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness”.
The Lions accepted her challenge and the work began ever since to include sight programs aimed at preventable blindness.
What better example of fulfilling that challenge then the Rock Mountain Lions Eye Institute representing patient care of over 150,000 annual procedures, medical training for ophthalmologists world-wide with leading techniques and a research department devoted to critical areas to prevent blindness or even sight restoration.
This was our ‘challenge’, this is our goal at the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute and supporting the Institute is the mission of the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute Foundation (RMLEIF).
To date, your Foundation has donated over $7,000,000 for the development and future of the Institute with the latest contribution just this year of $300,000 to equip the new expansion for patient care. In addition, RMLEIF has provided over $100,000 for pediatric eye services and travel assistance. This funding comes with the help of all Colorado and Wyoming Lions and Lions Clubs International Foundation.
Going forward, the Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute Foundation has formed various committees to investigate potential help to keep the Institute a world-class medical facility following our commitment to be “Knights of the Blind”. We are specifically continuing our consideration for equipment purchases for patient care and any possible help we can provide in the research area of the Institute.
As our new Lions year begins, we request any interested Lion to consider a position on the Board of Directors as each director is limited to a maximum of two, three-year terms. If interested to join this exciting Lions quest, please contact our Board President, Lion John Harper, to discuss the opportunities available and what positions are needed to fill. Your RMLEIF is always looking for Lions that may bring unique talents and ideas in keeping with our goal of supporting our Institute.
For more information or to discuss your interest in the Foundation, visit rmleif.org or contact Lion PID John Harper, (307) 631-8189, call or text.
Sincerely and Thank You for your support, Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Institute Board of Directors