Jul 2, 2026 | Community Partners, News
Each year, Saving Sight’s Charitable Grants Program helps extend our mission by supporting organizations that improve access to vision care and strengthen eye health services throughout Missouri. Through the generosity of our supporters and the guidance of our Board of Directors, these grants empower our partners to make a meaningful difference in the communities they serve.
The organizations that received charitable grants in 2025 have already demonstrated the tremendous impact these investments can make.
KidSight
KidSight continued expanding its statewide vision screening program, screening more than 56,800 children this year—an increase from nearly 48,700 the previous year. More than 4,700 children were identified as needing additional eye care, with hundreds receiving comprehensive eye exams, eyeglasses, and care coordination through mobile clinics, provider partnerships, and referral networks.
Missouri Lions Eye Mission Foundation
Missouri Lions Eye Mission Foundation used its grant to purchase two new Spot Vision Screeners, expanding its ability to serve communities across the state. The equipment helped Lions districts build their own local mission programs, contributing to multiple independent mission events, dozens of statewide vision missions, and the engagement of more than 300 volunteers.
Mid-South Lions Sight & Hearing Service
Mid-South Lions Sight & Hearing Service used grant funding to provide comprehensive vision care for 15 Missouri patients, with additional Missourians receiving services through the UMKC Cataract-A-Thon.
Show Me Lions Eyeglass Recycling
Show Me Lions Eyeglass Recycling invested in a new lensometer, increasing its capacity to process donated eyeglasses more efficiently. The additional equipment allows more volunteers to work simultaneously, helping prepare more glasses for vision missions around the world.
Together, these organizations continue to expand access to vision care, support volunteers, and improve lives across Missouri and beyond.
At its June 2026 meeting, the Saving Sight Board of Directors approved this year’s charitable grant awards, continuing our commitment to organizations dedicated to preserving and restoring sight.
This year’s grant recipients are:
• KidSight – $28,500
• Missouri Lions Eye Mission Foundation – $16,500
• Mid-South Lions Sight and Hearing Service – $10,000
• Show Me Lions Eyeglass Recycling Program – $5,000
We are proud to partner with these organizations as they continue expanding access to vision care, supporting underserved communities, and changing lives through the gift of sight. We look forward to seeing the impact these grants will make in the coming year.
Jun 29, 2026 | Community Partners, News
PCC Ron Campbell and Lion Dr. Teri Page
Saving Sight is proud to name Lion Dr. Teri Page of the Poplar Bluff Lions Club as the 2026 Lion Ambassador of the Year. For nearly two decades, she has brought vision care to one of the most rural corners of Missouri. The award was presented at Saving Sight’s board meeting on June 13 in Kansas City.
Lion Teri joined the club in 2004 on the invitation of another optometrist in town. It continued a pattern at her practice: the doctor she succeeded had also been a Lion. “I believe in the Lions’ mission of serving others,” she said. “As vision and hearing are two of the components that Lions support, it was a great fit for me. At my first meeting, everyone was welcoming, and the group always has a lot of fun.”
She’s a licensed optometrist who owns and operates Pearle Vision in Poplar Bluff, but a full work schedule has never slowed her service. As one of just two optometrists in the club’s Low-Vision Eye Program for Low-Income Residents, she has provided exams and new eyeglasses at a steep discount for roughly 20 years, reaching hundreds of people who might otherwise have gone without. The children stay with her the most. “I especially enjoy seeing the children who benefit from our organization,” she said. “Learning is exponentially harder when a student has a vision deficiency.”
That reach owes a lot to how the club runs its referral system. Poplar Bluff Lions has built strong ties with local schools and other service organizations, which helps direct people in need to the right resources — and Lion Teri has made sure the process moves fast once someone gets there. “Our system for patient approval is efficient, and the turnaround time is often less than a day,” she said. “I keep applications in my office and have on many occasions started the process while the patient is waiting.” Speed matters, she added, because the club tries to get people into glasses as quickly as possible.
When a patient’s vision can’t be corrected with glasses, Lion Teri doesn’t stop there. She works with the club’s vision program coordinator to connect them with advanced care at the Mid-South Sight and Hearing Center in Memphis.
Some of her biggest contributions are the ones easy to miss. At the club’s Annual Chili Day, the fundraiser that pays for free eye exams and frames for low-income residents, Lion Teri collects more than a hundred boxes for to-go orders every year, pulling them from behind local stores. “We have a wonderful Dollar General store that provides unlimited boxes of all sizes. I just have to collect them from out by the dumpster,” she said. “Recently, Home Depot and Menards have been generous with box donations, so I feel like I’ve been robbed of my dumpster-diving event.” The evening before the event, volunteers from the local high school and the Sierra Osage Girls Center, a juvenile detention facility, help the club prepare. “I love being able to interact with the girls from the center,” Lion Teri said. “They enjoy volunteering, and I feel that our positive interaction at the event is both helpful to them and to us.”
On the day itself, Lion Teri is the club’s fastest delivery driver, moving several hundred orders in a three-hour stretch, a pace that’s become a running joke among fellow Lions, who point to her long-time hobby of amateur car racing as the explanation. And without telling most of her fellow members, she quietly donates more than 1,000 individual peanut butter and cracker packs for the meals each year.
She has also been central to the club’s two Missouri Lions Eye Mission Foundation events, held in Poplar Bluff in 2024 and 2026. At each one, she helped screen and examine more than seventy patients and recruited a second optometrist to join her. She brought screening devices from her own office to clear the backlog, including a new auto-refractor that printed eye prescriptions almost instantly.
“Lion Dr. Teri Page has been instrumental in providing critical, life-changing vision services to hundreds of residents of the large, rural population of southeast Missouri,” wrote Lion Wendy Williams, Missouri Lions Past Council Chair, in her nomination. “She is the epitome of the Lions Clubs International motto of ‘We Serve!'”
Lion Teri says the recognition caught her off guard. “I was truly surprised and humbled by the nomination for the Saving Sight Award,” she said. “There are so many Lions out there doing so much good work, and my small part is never enough. Saving Sight has a truly amazing mission and has done so much to aid in the prevention of blindness. I’m proud to be affiliated with them through this award.”
To honor her partnership in service, Saving Sight made a $1,000 donation in Lion Teri’s name to the Animal Welfare Alliance in Poplar Bluff, the nonprofit she chose.
For Lion Teri, the math on service is simple. “Vision outreach through any organization is a 1,000 percent return on your investment of time,” she said. “Knowing that you’ve helped even just one individual is a feeling that cannot be understated, much less helping hundreds. Vision is the most basic of senses for quality of life, maintaining employment, and connecting with others. It’s a truly rewarding feeling every time we help anyone in need.”
Apr 8, 2026 | Community Partners, News
Each year, Saving Sight is honored to recognize Lions who go above and beyond in their dedication to service and to our shared mission: We change lives by saving sight.
The 2026 Lion Ambassador of the Year nominees represent the very best of Lionism—individuals whose compassion, leadership, and commitment are making a meaningful difference in communities across Missouri, Kansas, and Illinois. Through vision screenings, outreach, and direct service, these nominees are helping ensure more individuals have access to the gift of sight.
We are proud to recognize this year’s outstanding nominees:
PDG Bob Crump – Seymour Lions Club
Nominated by District Governor Paula Rodgers
PDG Bob Crump has made a profound impact in his community through his dedication to children’s vision screening. Traveling from school to school—often in difficult conditions—he has personally screened hundreds of children, ensuring that no child is overlooked.
His passion for KidSight is evident in both his actions and his advocacy. PDG Bob not only identifies potential vision issues early but also follows up to ensure children receive the care they need. His unwavering commitment reflects a deep care for the well-being and future success of every child he serves.
Lion Janice Bonnot – Jefferson City Host Lions Club
Nominated by District Governor Rev. Bill Foglesong
Lion Janice Bonnot exemplifies what it means to live out the mission of saving sight. Through her leadership, the Jefferson City Host Lions Club has become one of the most active KidSight screening groups in the state.
In a single Lions year, her coordination helped facilitate screenings for nearly 5,000 children across schools, daycares, libraries, and community events—resulting in over 500 referrals for follow-up care. Beyond screenings, she has also led efforts to collect and distribute eyeglasses for mission work, extending her impact far beyond her local community.
Lion Dr. Teri Page – Poplar Bluff Lions Club
Nominated by Council Chair Wendy Williams
For nearly two decades, Lion Dr. Teri Page has combined professional expertise with heartfelt service to improve access to vision care in southeast Missouri. As an optometrist and business owner, she plays a critical role in her club’s Low Vision Program, providing discounted exams and glasses to individuals who otherwise could not afford care.
Her contributions extend well beyond clinical care. From supporting major fundraising efforts like the club’s annual Chili Day to volunteering at large-scale eye mission events, Lion Teri’s generosity and hands-on involvement have helped bring life-changing services to hundreds in her community.
PDG Wayne and Lion Susan Cunningham – Chillicothe Lions Club
Nominated by Vice Council Chair Rachel Harper
PDG Wayne and Lion Susan Cunningham have transformed vision screening outreach through their leadership of “Team Chillicothe.” Since 2020, they have helped conduct more than 22,000 vision screenings across hundreds of events, reaching children across multiple districts.
Their dedication is remarkable—not only in scale, but in spirit. Even in the face of personal health challenges, they have continued their work with resilience and determination. By identifying vision issues early and ensuring follow-up care, they are helping shape brighter futures for thousands of children.
Lion Lauralee Taylor – Cape Evening Lions Club
Nominated by District Governor Louise Bibbs
Lion Lauralee Taylor has played a key role in expanding access to vision care through Eye Mission trips across her district. Her leadership and service have helped bring free eyeglasses to individuals who otherwise would not have access to care, restoring sight and independence.
In addition to her hands-on involvement, she serves on the board of the Missouri Lions State Sight Project, further advancing efforts to meet critical vision needs throughout the region.
PID Don Noland – Harvester Lions Club
Nominated by District Governor Al Wansing
Lion Don Noland is a passionate advocate for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Through his involvement in local eye missions and his leadership roles within the Lions, he has been a strong and consistent supporter of organizations serving those with vision needs.
As a past director and district leader, as well as a champion for the Missouri School for the Blind, Lion Don’s enthusiasm and commitment continue to inspire others and strengthen the impact of service across his community.
Each of these nominees reflects the heart of what it means to serve. Their efforts—whether through screening children, providing clinical care, organizing outreach, or championing access—are changing lives every day. We are grateful for their dedication and proud to celebrate their contributions to Saving Sight’s mission.
The 2026 Lion Ambassador of the Year will be announced at the Missouri Lions State Convention banquet on Saturday, April 25.
Feb 19, 2026 | Community Partners, News
Every year, we have the privilege of celebrating the remarkable Lions and community partners whose service truly embodies our mission: “We change lives by saving sight.” In 2025, we honored Lion Leon Hove as our Lions Ambassador of the Year, a lifelong Lion whose dedication to vision programs, screening initiatives, and international missions inspired all of us. In honor of his service, a $1,000 donation was made in his name to the Missouri Lions Eye Mission Foundation supporting expanded vision care.
Now it’s your turn to help us recognize the next great Lion leader!
Nominations for the 2026 Lions Ambassador of the Year are opening soon. This recognition highlights a Lion or community member — someone whose volunteerism and impact have measurably furthered our mission across Missouri, Kansas, and Illinois over the last year. Nominees should exemplify service above self, live the spirit of the Lions, and inspire others through their work.
A selection committee made up of the Missouri Lions Council Chair, current District Governors, and Saving Sight board members will review nominations. The honoree will be celebrated at the Missouri Lions State Convention and will receive a $1,000 donation in their name to the 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization of their choice.
Who in your club or community has gone above and beyond this year? Keep your nominations ready and let’s continue celebrating Lions who truly make a difference!
Jul 31, 2025 | Community Partners, News
PDG Lion Leon Hove and PDG Lyn Porterfield
This year, Saving Sight is proud to recognize Lion Leon Hove as the 2025 Lions Ambassador of the Year, a title that reflects not only his decades of service but also his enduring passion for helping others see more clearly.
Leon first became involved with the Lions in the mid-1970s through the Joliet Noon Lions Club in Illinois. What began as a suggestion from his boss, a past president of the club, quickly turned into a lifelong commitment. But it wasn’t until Leon screened a child for amblyopia using the old Polaroid method, and saw her again months later, proudly wearing glasses and able to see better, that he truly “became a Lion.”
That moment sparked a passion for vision that has guided his service for nearly 50 years.
“I don’t do the things I do for recognition or awards,” Leon says. “It’s enough for me to see the smiles and joy of those we serve. I receive more pleasure from that than they do.”
Leon has dedicated countless hours to vision programs, including KidSight screenings and international eye missions in Mexico and Panama. In 2018, he helped found the Missouri Lions Eye Mission Foundation, creating a 501(c)(3) organization to expand access to vision care. While COVID-19 initially paused those efforts, the foundation pivoted, and in 2024 alone, the Missouri Lions hosted 37 missions serving more than 2,500 people. The momentum continues to grow, with Lions in neighboring states now seeking to bring similar missions to their communities.
A particularly meaningful milestone came in November 2024, when Leon helped lead a clinic at St. Peter and Paul Church in St. Louis, providing recycled eyeglasses to 33 unhoused individuals.
“That was the start of something beyond my wildest dreams,” he says.
Leon’s commitment to vision is also personal. He saw firsthand the challenges his late wife faced due to corneal disease, and he reflects often on what it would mean to lose the ability to see the people and world around him. Now, at nearly 84 years old, he’s still advocating, volunteering and working toward change — even as he prepares to relocate to Arizona to be closer to his daughter.
“I’ve learned Arizona has laws that prohibit the distribution of recycled eyeglasses,” he says. “That’s my new goal — to help change that. There is such a huge need.”
As part of his ambassador recognition, a $1,000 donation was made to the Missouri Lions Eye Mission Foundation, a gesture Leon says is the most meaningful part of the award.
“The fact that it will help buy equipment and supplies to continue our work means everything to me,” he says. “If being named Ambassador of the Year inspires even one person to serve, that would be the greatest accomplishment of all.”
Jul 31, 2025 | Community Partners, News
In 1960, Saving Sight began its journey of restoring vision through charitable vision programs, showing a commitment to community needs and a spirit of generosity. While the delivery of our programs has evolved, our legacy of giving continues to thrive through our mission partners. In 2021, Saving Sight’s board of directors established a board-designated quasi-endowment fund to support grants given to charitable organizations with a similar mission. We are proud to share the impact of grants given to four outstanding organizations in fiscal year 2023-2024: Missouri Lions Eye Mission Foundation, KidSight, Show Me Lions Eyeglass Recycling, and Mid-South Lions Sight and Hearing Service.
KidSight – $41,500
KidSight used this grant in general operating support, allowing the organization to expand its free vision screenings and follow-up services for children statewide. So far this year, KidSight has screened more than 43,000 children, an increase of over 4,000 from the previous year, and referred nearly 3,900 to local eye doctors for full exams. The program now serves 100 Missouri counties, up from 94 last year, and continues to grow. With additional grant support, KidSight also partnered with local eyecare providers and hosted mobile vision clinic days in Boone and Jackson counties, delivering 37 free eye exams and 36 pairs of glasses to students in need.
Missouri Lions Eye Mission Foundation – $16,500
Missouri Lions Eye Mission Foundation utilized this grant to purchase new digital fundus cameras and vision screeners—equipment that allowed them to have two sets of identical equipment for events across the state. So far, the foundation has hosted 21 mission events with 19 more scheduled, enabling greater access to care in every Lions district. The new tools have also inspired a renewed sense of purpose and energy among volunteers, strengthening the reach and impact of Lions Clubs across Missouri.
Show Me Lions Eyeglass Recycling – $2,000
Show Me Lions Eyeglass Recycling used this grant to improve building accessibility and enhance warehouse functionality. Upgrades included restroom grab bars, improved signage, and new shelving to better organize recycled eyeglasses. The center also added essential equipment like a pallet jack and hand truck to support the transport of eyeglass deliveries and shipments. Thousands of bags, printer supplies, and cleaning tools were also purchased. Much of the labor and supplemental materials were donated by volunteers, reflecting the center’s deep roots in community support and service.
Saving Sight’s board of directors remains committed to supporting our mission partners in their efforts to restore vision and improve lives. At their most recent meeting in June 2025, Saving Sight’s board granted the following additional funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year:
• KidSight – $30,000
• Missouri Lions Eye Mission Foundation – $13,000
• Mid-South Lions Sight and Hearing Service – $9,500
• Show Me Lions Eyeglass Recycling Program – $7,500
The grants provided this year have empowered these organizations to expand their services, enhance their capabilities, and serve more individuals in need. We are proud of the collective impact we have made and look forward to continuing our legacy of changing lives by saving sight for years to come.
