by Doreen Martel

Created on: July 22, 2010

In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts throughout Norfolk and Suffolk counties you may see a 40 foot mobile home traveling around that says "District 33K Lions Eyemobile". If you have ever seen this unit, you might be wondering what the Lions Eyemobile is.  Primarily, the Lions Eyemobile is a service project of the Lions Clubs of District 33K in Massachusetts.

History of the Lions Eyemobile

While other Lions districts also offer Eyemobile services, the Lions of District 33K have been providing free eye and health screenings utilizing an Eyemobile since 1970.  At that time, a Lion from the Somerville Lions Club donated a trailer that was originally used for furniture to help the Lions provide this critical community service.  In 1972, the Lions Clubs of District 33K agreed that the Eyemobile would be an ongoing service project across the District.

What the Eyemobile Provides

While the Lions of District 33K are not typically eye care professionals, the Eyemobile is designed to provide free eye and hearing screenings to communities served by District 33K Lions.  This is done on a purely volunteer basis and the Eyemobile must be sponsored by a local Lions Club. In communities where there is no Lions Club, Lions from other clubs across District 33K may man the unit.

How the Eyemobile Works

The District 33K Lions Eyemobile is equipped with some of the most advanced eye screening equipment available. This allows Lions who are not trained eye care professionals to conduct screenings and obtain accurate information about a persons vision.  It is important to note that these screenings are not a substitute for professional eye exams. These screenings can help detect problems and if a problem is detected the person being screened would be referred to an eye care professional.

How the Eyemobile is Funded

Because the Lions Eyemobile charter is to provide eye screenings and hearing screenings free of charge, the Lions Eyemobile must depend on donations.  Nearly 100% of the Lions Eyemobile funding comes from the Lions Clubs of District 33K.  The purchase of the current unit was accomplished by raising more than $180,000 from the Lions Clubs as well as from grants from various business entities and Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF).

Operational Costs

The operational costs of the Lions Eyemobile is provided entirely from donations. This includes insurance and registration, fuel and maintenance of the unit as well as equipment costs

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