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Partners of the Movement

Lions Clubs International Foundation

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Real Impact: By the Number
Under the “Mission: Inclusion” partnership banner, Special Olympics and Lions Clubs International Foundation work closely around the world to bring the benefits of inclusion through service to individuals with intellectual disabilities. Now present in over 100 nations, the “Mission: Inclusion” partnership continues to achieve impressive results, including:
445,000
Special Olympics athletes have received free vision screenings thorugh LCIF's and Special Olympics' Opening Eyes program.
260,000
Prescription eyeglasses have been provided to Special Olympics athletes at no cost.
22,000
Lions have volunteered with Special Olympics since 2000.
29,000
Eye care professionals have volunteered their services at Opening Eyes.

Since 2001, the Lions Clubs International Foundation has provided generous support to the Special Olympics movement, expanding the reach and scope of key programs in the areas of health, inclusive sports and community building through inclusive development through service worldwide. Through the “Mission: Inclusion” partnership platform, the Lions Clubs International Foundation and countless Lions Clubs have become a pivotal global partner in the lives of athletes with intellectual disabilities throughout the world.

The Lions Clubs International Foundation awarded Special Olympics with a multi-year, multi-million dollar commitment to expand the reach of the Opening Eyes eye health and vision care screening program, with local Lions Clubs answering the call to serve through volunteer activation at screening sites in over 80 nations and growing. What began as a partnership to address the urgent need for health services for individuals with intellectual disabilities has expanded to create one of the most impactful service platforms in the world.

In an effort to create increased support and service to communities worldwide, both organizations leveraged the success of the Opening Eyes program to create the “Mission: Inclusion” service partnership. “Mission: Inclusion” provides support and service to a range of partnership activities, including family health education through Family Health Forums, youth activation through Unified Sports, community building through support to the Leadership Academy, national partnership development across the world, and critical support to the Special Olympics Unified with Refugees programming, supporting refugee and migrant youth worldwide.

The Lions Clubs International Foundation not only provides critical financial support to the movement, but makes available tens of thousands of volunteers locally for National Special Olympics Programs. Through the activation of individual Lions Clubs volunteers, and Leo youth members, the Lions Clubs International Foundation has provided key capacity building and community development, from developed to developing economies alike.

From Brazil to Malaysia and from Great Britain to South Africa, the Lions Clubs International Foundation and Special Olympics continue to make inclusive development through service a reality for athletes with intellectual disabilities, their families and their communities.

More About Lions Clubs International Foundation

Unstoppable Determination: One Athlete's Journey of Passion and Love for Sport

Michal, a skier with Special Olympics Slovakia, competes through the Motor Activity Training Program (MATP)—Special Olympics’ movement-based sport program for athletes with profound intellectual disabilities who have high support needs.

Trinidad & Tobago Embraces Vision for Inclusive Education Through Sports

Caribbean nation becomes second in the region to join the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion at Opening Ceremony of Unified Beach Games
2 Min Read

Looking to the Future at the Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Leadership Conference 2024

The Special Olympics Europe Eurasia Regional Leadership Conference, hosted by Special Olympics Germany and supported by the German Ministry for the Interior and Community, Sports Metropolis Berlin, Toyota Motor Europe and Lions Clubs International Foundation, took place in Berlin on 15 and 16 October.