[Nfbv-announce] Lions Extend Hand to Collaborate More Closely With the National Federation for the Blind, Virginia Chapters

Sat Nov 20 00:03:25 UTC 2010

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Lions Extend Hand to Collaborate More Closely With the National Federation 
for the Blind, Virginia Chapters

The Northern Virginia Lions are currently in discussions with several other 
potential partners, and after Saturday's presentation, hope to include the 
National Federation of the Blind, Virginia to their list of partners.

Falls Church, Va. (PRWEB) November 16, 2010

Over 220 sighted, visually impaired, and blind were in attendance at the 
National Federation for the Blind Virginia's annual state conference.

The crowd was eager and enthusiastic to hear about new technologies, lessons 
in independent mobility, use of white canes, and to listen to what other 
organizations have to offer to the visually impaired.

Lions Clubs International, 24-A District Governor Dennis Brining was in 
attendance and spoke during the general assembly. In his speech, District 
Governor Brining highlighted the need to collaborate with other 
organizations to reach growing community needs.

District Governor Brining says there is power in the pride, "As Lions we can 
respond collectively. Lions Clubs are encouraged to show their global 
friendship and help other Lion communities in times of calamity. Clubs 
united make possible what may be beyond the capacity of a single club or 
district. We are everywhere."

Lions Clubs International work in collaboration with numerous corporate & 
NGO's and Government Partners to include, the Carter Center which has been 
awarded more than $40 M to prevent River Blindness in Africa and Latin 
America, Habitat for Humanity, the Special Olympics, and The National Eye 
Institute and many others.

Locally, the Lions of District 24-A have strategic partnerships with Prevent 
Blindness Mid Atlantic (PBMA) who developed a Certified Vision Screening 
Program that reaches nearly 400,000 children/year, across the Commonwealth. 
PBMA with Lions support as appropriate is now moving this same program into 
Maryland in hopes to reach some 550,000 children over the next three years.

More recently District 24-A Lions joined forces with the Virginia Department 
of Blind and Visually Impaired and The Prevention of Blindness Society to 
expand a Low Vision Center in Fairfax that will reach a catchment area of 
2.3 million people.

The Lions of Northern VA raise and return more than $1,000,000/year and the 
Lions of VA raise more than $5,000,000/year to assist their communities.

"We are able to provide financial support in force, the sheer number of 
Lions members allow us the availability to really make a difference," noted 
Brining.

District Governor Brining ended his speech stating that Northern Virginia 
Lions are currently in discussions with several other potential partners, 
and after Saturday's presentation, District 24-A Lions hope to include the 
National Federation of the Blind Virginia to their list of partners.

During the assembly, Dr. Lawson, coordinator and instructor for the Virginia 
Consortium for Teacher Preparation in Vision Impairment at George Mason 
University, encouraged collaboration as did most of the day's speakers.

Additional covered topics ranged from literacy for the blind, early child 
literacy programs, the needs of the blind deaf community, to adjusting to 
the workplace. All speakers agreed there is a great need for civic, state, 
federal, and nonprofit organizations to unite to expand capabilities and 
truly address the needs across the Northern Virginia region and beyond.

District 24-A Lions Clubs are men, women and youth who volunteer time and 
efforts to humanitarian causes through our district, the State of Virginia 
and the world. By conducting service projects and raising funds Lions strive 
to help indigent people locally and throughout the world community. The 
Lions' motto is "We Serve". Visit http://www.valions.org for more 
information on District 24-A Lions or go to the Lions Clubs International 
site at http://www.lionsclubs.org

Lions Clubs International was founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1917. Lions 
Club International has grown to be the world's largest service organization 
with more than 1.3 million members belonging to approximately 43,000 local 
clubs in 207 countries and geographical areas. Lions Club International 
headquarters is located in Oak Brook, Illinois and is governed by a board of 
directors, which are elected annually at our International Convention.
---- 
The NFBV Affiliate is one of the 52 affiliates in the National Federation of 
the Blind. There is an affiliate in every state, Washington D.C. and Puerto 
Rico. There are 15 chapters throughout the Common Wealth check the list 
below to find one near you. In addition to chapters and affiliates, there 
are several divisions, which focus on specific areas of interest to blind 
persons. Virginia has divisions, which focus on Deaf-blindness, students, 
vending stand operators and diabetes. There are many more divisions on the 
national level. Check the national web page for a more complete listing at 
http://www.nfb.org.

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Contact Information
Edward Woodard

703-451-8508

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