Helping Grand County See Clearly
Good vision is something many of us take for granted, until it’s missing. A child who can’t see the whiteboard falls behind in class. An adult without the right glasses struggles at work, behind the wheel, or with the simple pleasures of reading and enjoying our mountain surroundings. The Fraser River Valley Lions Club believes that clear sight should never depend on income, age, or how far someone lives from an eye doctor.
Vision care has been at the heart of Lions Clubs around the world for more than a century. Here in Grand County, our members have chosen the Vision Assistance Program as the club’s top service priority, and we’re working every year to reach more of our neighbors.
The Barriers We’re Working to Remove
Grand County is a wonderful place to live, but it isn’t always an easy place to get eye care. Many families work seasonal jobs tied to our tourism economy, with incomes that rise and fall with the seasons. The cost of living is high, and an eye exam and a pair of glasses can easily become one more expense a family has to put off. Healthcare providers are spread thin across our large, rural county, which means long drives for appointments. And vision problems often go unnoticed, especially in young children, who may not realize the world is supposed to look sharper than it does.
Our program is designed to address each of these barriers: cost, distance, and simply not knowing a problem exists.
What We Do
Free vision screenings for children. Lions volunteers bring vision screening directly to Grand County schools, preschools, and community events, so kids can be checked where they already are, at no cost to their families. We use a Plusoptix photoscreener, a quick, non-invasive camera that can detect potential vision problems even in very young children who can’t yet read an eye chart. When a screening shows that a child may need further care, we work with school nurses so families get a clear next step.
Eyeglass and exam vouchers. For children and adults who need a full eye exam and corrective lenses but face financial hardship, the Lions provide vouchers that cover both the exam and the glasses. Our partners at Winter Park Optical accept these vouchers at a generously reduced rate, which lets every dollar the Lions raise go further.
Support for adults and young children. Through our partnership with the Mountain Family Center, adults, preschoolers, and children outside the public school system can apply for vision assistance. Mountain Family Center reviews requests confidentially to make sure help reaches those who need it most.
Community awareness. We promote eye health at community events, through outreach with Grand Beginnings, and on social media. Many vision problems are easiest to treat when they’re caught early, so we encourage regular eye checkups for everyone.
Our Goals
We want to make sure that every child in Grand County, whether in public school, private school, preschool, or homeschool, has the chance to be screened for vision problems. We aim to remove cost as a reason anyone in our community goes without glasses they need. We are working to upgrade our screening equipment so our results are as accurate and reliable as possible. And we hope to keep building partnerships that bring vision care closer to home for families across the county.
Our Partners
This program is possible thanks to strong local collaboration with Grand County schools and school nurses, the Mountain Family Center, Winter Park Optical, Grand Beginnings, the Grand County Commissioners and the Colorado Lions Foundation. Through Lions International, we also collect used eyeglasses for people in need around the world. We support vision-focused organizations, including the Lions Eye Bank, the Lions Eye Institute, and the Colorado Lions Camp.
How You Can Help or Get Help
Need vision assistance? If your child attends a Grand County school, talk with your school nurse. Adults, families with preschoolers, and families with children outside the public schools can contact the Mountain Family Center to ask about a Lions vision voucher.
Want to support the program? Every pancake breakfast, golf tournament, and holiday fundraiser helps fund the vouchers and screenings that make a difference here at home. You can also drop off used eyeglasses at Lions collection points, donate directly, or join the Lions and help with screenings yourself.
Questions? Contact us.