The Denver Lions Club delivered the Free Eye Screening Campaign in partnership with Denver Sister Cities International—Cuernavaca Committee. Sister Cities International recognized this effort with the 2024 Innovation in Humanitarian Assistance Award.
The Denver Lions Club (DLC), in partnership with the Denver Sister Cities International (DSCI) Cuernavaca Committee, delivered a Free Eye Screening Campaign in Cuernavaca. Sister Cities International recognized this significant humanitarian effort with the 2024 Humanitarian Award.
As President of the Cuernavaca Committee, Lion Susy had the privilege of partnering with the Denver Lions Club to implement this impactful campaign. While the Cuernavaca Committee (under Susy’s leadership) applied for the award, the recognition was ultimately given to Denver Sister Cities International because the campaign was conducted under their broader umbrella.
Although the Denver Lions Club executed most of the campaign’s work, the recognition reflects the partnership between DLC and DSCI. As such, Lion Susy was honored to represent both organizations in receiving the award on their behalf.
Lions Myrna Ann Adkins, Susy Osorio-Kinsky, and Steve Kinsky spent ten days in Cuernavaca on our most recent Eyesight Campaign, which was conducted in collaboration with Sisters Cities. They helped 534 people with eye exams and eyeglasses from COLERC.
More details https://www.dazzledenver.com/live-music/#/events/117907
What is a Sister City
A sister city, county, or state relationship is a broad-based, long-term partnership between two communities in two countries. It is officially recognized after the highest elected or appointed official from both communities agrees to become sister cities.
A city may have any number of sister cities, with community involvement ranging from a half dozen to hundreds of volunteers. In addition to volunteers, sister city organizations can include representatives from nonprofits, municipal governments, the private sector, and other civic organizations. Each sister city organization is independent and pursues activities and thematic areas vital to its community, including municipal, business, trade, educational, and cultural exchanges and projects with its sister city.
Denver Sister City – Cuernavaca
Cuernavaca is the capital and largest city in the state of Morelos in Mexico. Located in the central highlands of Mexico, about 50 miles south of Mexico City, it is often referred to as ‘la Ciudad de la primavera eterna’ (‘the city of eternal springtime’) because of the year-round temperate climate. Cuernavaca has numerous tourist attractions, like its cathedral, which was built by Franciscan missionaries in the 16th century. It is among the oldest churches still in use on the North American continent. Since becoming Denver’s sixth sister city in 1983, residents of both cities have benefited from the cultural, educational, and personal exchanges promoted by the relationship.
Lions Steve and Suzy wanted to highlight the immense social contribution of our recent international campaign in Ecuador (August 25 - September 5). This campaign was carried out in collaboration with Lions Clubs Quito-Eugenio Espejo, Urdesa, Perla del Pacifico (Guayaquil) in Ecuador, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ecuadori I aman Police. This initiative benefited the Ecuadorian Police, their families, and the broader community.
During this trip, we delivered 10,000 pairs of glasses and were joined by 12 volunteers from the United States. We also partnered with two schools of optometry in Quito and Guayaquil alongside bilingual Ecuadorian volunteers. Collectively, our team worked 11,832 hours, and at a rate of $22.50 per hour, our contribution amounted to $266,231 It’s important to note that this figure only reflects volunteer time—every other expense was generously covered by the individuals themselves.
All these efforts were led by the Denver Lions Club, ensuring that our role as organizers is well recognized in these impactful global campaigns.
CLICK HERE for more images of the campaign in Quito
A big Lions ROAR for Lions Steve and Susy for the tremendous effort and results of the campaign.
Cuernavaca Eyesight Campaign: October 23 - November 2, 2024
Myrna Ann Adkins, Susy Osorio-Kinsky and I spent ten days in Cuernavaca on our most recent Eyesight Campaign, a collaboration including:
•the Denver Lions Club,
•Denver Sister Cities International (DSCI)-Cuernavaca Committee,
•the Ayuntamiento de Cuernavaca through its Secretary of Tourism, and
•Mexico City’s Claveria and Cuernavaca’s Forza Lions Club from District B6
It was unique in several ways, as you’ll see below, but for Susy and me perhaps notably because it came only 2 months after the campaign for the Policia Nacional in Ecuador.
Results
Gender
Female Participants: 360
Male Participants: 174
Total: 534
Average Age
56
Types of Glasses Distributed
Multivision: 185
Single Vision: 144
Readers: 196
Total: 525
Sunglasses: 500
Note: Some participants received two pairs based on needs and availability. Additionally, some participants did not require glasses after screening. It was not advertised for children 12 years of age or younger.
Location and Equipment
The campaign was conducted outdoors at the Secretary of Tourism’s offices. We used our own portable auto refractor and two phoropters.
Logistics
It’s noteworthy that we couldn’t comfortably transport the eyeglasses in our usual fashion, i.e., as checked-in luggage on our flight there, as we did last year because of a connection between the Secretary of Tourism and a high-level customs official. Instead, this year we shipped glasses via UPS to Laredo, TX, and the Mexico City Clavería Lions Club transported them across the border to Laredo, Mexico, and then later onward to Cuernavaca.
Volunteer Support
•Lions Clubs: As mentioned, key support came from the Mexico City Clavería and Cuernavaca Forza Lions Clubs in District B6, led by Past District Governor Francisco Gomez and Javier Rodas, respectively.
•Optometrists: Claveria, Forza and Tourism all helped to secure the 3 volunteer optometrists during the 3 days.
• Medical Students: From the Universidad del Valle de Cuernavaca-UNIVAC , local medical students brought indomitable energy that was vital in completing the final step of the Eyesight Campaign—distributing the right pair of glasses to each patient.
•DSCI & Cuernavaca Committee: We stayed at the home of Fernando Pineda- Reyes, a Denver resident and member of the Cuernavaca Sister Cities Committee and also the Board of Denver Sister Cities International
Cultural Experiences
•Denver Park: On the weekend before the campaign itself, we visited Denver Park in Cuernavaca, a beautiful recreational area, where we planted trees and watched soccer, basketball, and volleyball tournament games.
•Día de los Muertos: We participated in Día de los Muertos events, including puppet competitions, exhibits replete with cempasúchil (marigold) flower displays, a music festival and a town parade.
Reflection and Future Plans
The campaign achieved its goals and provided a meaningful cultural exchange. Community support and partnerships were valuable assets, and plans are underway to organize a similar campaign next year at around the same time.
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