Lions in District 303, Hong Kong and Macao, China, created a fun rap video. The video sends out the message that no matter what your profession or social status, when you wear a Lions vest, you serve the community along with Lions everywhere.

Watch the video above, check out the original Lions rap video, “Rockin’ the Vest,” and see the three finalists in the Lions Reading Action Program Rap Video Contest.

As Recycle for Sight Month continues, we encourage Lions everywhere to participate in Lions eyeglass recycling programs. Collected eyeglasses end up at mission sites around the world, where eye care professionals and Lions provide eye care and eyeglasses to people in need.

Getting Started

The key steps to collecting eyeglasses in your community include:

1. Set up collection locations. Ask local businesses and organizations, such as libraries, schools, doctors’ offices, places of worship and community centers, to host a Lions eyeglass collection box. Establish and maintain contact with these partners, and schedule regular pick ups.

2. Use Recycle for Sight resources. LCI provides guides, posters, brochures, press releases, forms and other resources to help support your club’s efforts.

3. Promote your collection activity. Let the community know where they can donate used eyeglasses, what happens to the glasses after they are collected, and how Lions are making an impact locally and globally.

4. Send eyeglasses to the nearest Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center. This is where trained volunteers sort, clean and determine prescriptions strengths of the eyeglasses.

5. Report your eyeglass collection activity online.

Do you have any tips for collecting used eyeglasses?

We are very saddened by the tragic tornado disaster in Moore, Oklahoma. Rest assured, the Lions are doing their part with the recovery efforts and will be there as members of the community for the long-term rebuilding efforts.

There are several thousand Lions in eastern Oklahoma, and the Lions of the world will be there to support them in this time of great need.

Right now, we are sending a Major Catastrophe Grant of US$100,000 from LCIF’s disaster relief fund. This grant will support Lions in affected areas to immediately begin providing aid to those in need, such as food, water, clothing and medical supplies.

We are also providing emergency grants to assist with other destructive storms that have impacted parts of the USA in recent days.

The community of Moore, and all the Lions Club members in the area, need our support today to help their neighbors.

You can help by contributing to the disaster relief fund of Lions Clubs International Foundation. Donations to this fund are Melvin Jones Fellowship eligible and help Lions.

We will keep you updated as needs are more fully known, now and for as long as it takes.

Sincerely,

Wayne A. Madden                                       Wing-Kun Tam

International President                               Chairperson, LCIF

Posting videos on your club’s Facebook page is a wonderful way to share your Lions club’s story and let your community know how you’re making an impact. Follow our tips to make sure your videos are engaging viewers and effectively promoting your club’s local community service.

• Post a short video clip of your Lions club event or project from your mobile device. Smart phones and tablets with video recording capabilities make it easy to take a quick video at your club’s project or event and post it directly to your Facebook page. You can create a video through the Facebook mobile app the same way you would take a photo: Tap the Photo button, then tap the camera icon to take a photo. Once the camera is on, you can swipe from camera to video camera on the bottom left of the screen.
• Post videos of Lions in action. For example, planting trees or cleaning up a local beach; dancing at a Strides: Lions for Diabetes Awareness event; or helping rebuild a home. Lions and community members who visit your page want to see how your club is making a positive impact, and what’s in store for them if they decide to join.
• Post videos from the Lions Clubs International website or Facebook page. Check out the Lions News Network for the latest Lions Quarterly video magazine, fun PSAs that help promote your club (watch the video above for a PSA that focuses on Lions feeding the hungry), and videos that feature Lions around the world serving their communities. You can also access Lions videos on YouTube, or check out what we’re posting on our Facebook page and share on your own page.

Other things to consider…

• Don’t post a long video that will only be interesting to a small group of people. Most people don’t want to see a video of an entire club meeting, or of Lions setting up for an event, or of a long awards ceremony. Viewers will likely stop a video after three or so minutes, so keep videos short and sweet.
• Be sure to add a description of your video. Tell viewers where you are, what you’re doing, how you’re helping the community, and how they can get involved.

Do you have any tips for posting videos on Facebook?

The Gujrat Young Fellows Lions Club in Pakistan recently held a street art competition. The event brought community members together to help improve and beautify the city.

Fun, unique community projects such as this one are a great way to get the word out about your Lions club and invite people of all ages to become involved.

What upcoming Lions project are you most excited for?