SunBird Lions President Julie Napton shares a laugh with a patient while issuing reading glasses
On December 9, 2016, three members of the SunBird Lions Club worked with the Arizona Lions Vision Center to provide vision screening for the patients at the Arizona Mission of Mercy.
The AZMOM is held annually on the second weekend in December at the Veterans Coliseum in Phoenix.
The Arizona Mission of Mercy is an annual program to provide dental care for the uninsured working poor, homeless and economically disadvantaged people of Arizona. Staffed by volunteer medical and dental professionals, AZMOM treated over 1800 patients in the two days of the program. Treatments included: exams, x-rays, cleaning, fillings, extractions and dentures. After their dental care, the patients were allowed free vision screening and eye exams, if required.
Volunteers at the Arizona Lions Vision Center booth screened 966 patients. The patients that needed prescription eyeglasses were given Vision Service Provider gift certificates for a complete eye exam and prescription glasses. Several patients in need of a diabetic eye exam or who did not qualify for a VSP gift certificate were referred to the Lions Vision Center in Phoenix for the additional services required. Those that just need reading glasses or sunglasses received them at that time. The Arizona Lions Vision Center provides this free service through the funding of Lions Clubs throughout Arizona.