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In 2000, the Lions Clubs International Foundation made a generous donation that made it possible to expand Special Olympics' Opening Eyes initiative globally. The contribution not only maintains and improves all aspects of the initiative, but also helps provide volunteer support to the organization.
Now known as Special Olympics-Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes®, the initiative was established to respond to athletes’ needs for greater optical services and offer them superior care that they may not have acquired otherwise. Through Opening Eyes, Special Olympics athletes are able to receive free vision screening, eye glasses and sports goggles. Opening Eyes is part of the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes® initiative, designed to help Special Olympics athletes improve their health and fitness, leading to an enhanced sports experience and improved quality of life.
A major focus of the Lions Clubs grant is to train clinical directors to implement Opening Eyes venues as part of Special Olympics Games within Special Olympics Programs. These clinical directors use seed money from the grant, along with technical assistance and donated materials and equipment secured by Special Olympics from various companies, to make the screening programs possible and sustainable. Ultimately, these programs depend on the generosity of eye care professionals at the local level who donate their time and talents.
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