NM Foundations
NM LIONS EYE FOUNDATION
The New Mexico Lions Eye Foundation (NMLEF) was formed in 1995.
In 1996, a matching grant of $40,000 from LCIF permitted the
Foundation to purchase a 34' motor home specifically designed
and compartmented for use as an eye screening vehicle. Delivery
was taken of the vehicle on November 2, 1996 and thereafter
equipment was installed to permit eye screenings. The first
screening was conducted in Albuquerque on January 25, 1997.
Under the NMLEF constitution, each screening must be sponsored
by a Lions Club in Multiple District 40. In fiscal year
2000-2001, a contract was entered into between the Foundation
and the NM Department of Health to provide certain services for
diabetics and in return receive reimbursement of expenses.
NM
LIONS EYE BANK
The New Mexico Lions Eye Bank (NMLEB) was founded in 1962 to
meet area surgeons’ needs for corneal tissue. Originally, it was
based at the Lovelace Clinic (now Lovelace Medical Center).
Later as the Eye Bank grew, it was relocated to Presbyterian
Hospital. The New Mexico Lions Eye Bank affiliated with the
non-profit eye and tissue banking network TBI (Tissue Banks
International) in 1995, which enabled the eye bank to expand to
provide services to not only the citizens of New Mexico but all
over the country and overseas as well. Two years later, the
NMLEB moved to its present facility. The New Mexico Lions Eye
Bank has been a member of the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA)
for nearly forty years. Through the generous contributions of
the Lions, NMLEB has a state of the art laboratory in
Albuquerque. In their lab, they have digital imaging systems
that enable them to obtain high quality images of corneas
allowing surgeons to select the cornea best suited for their
patient.
NM
LIONS BAND FOUNDATION
The New Mexico
Lions Band Foundation's mission is to coordinate and direct the
efforts to sponsor an Honor Band composed of the most talented
NM high school band students. The sponsorship includes raising
funds for traveling expenses by the Band to attend the NM Lions
State Convention and the Lions Clubs International Convention
(when feasible).
NM LIONS
CRANE READING FOUNDATION
One of the State’s newest and very exciting Lions projects is
the Lions Crane Reading Program, which seeks to improve NM
students’ reading proficiency. In the past, NM has ranked 48th
out of 50 with respect to children’s reading achievement. Many
students report symptoms of headaches, seeing double, getting
dizzy, eyes burning, and/or blurry vision during and after
reading which in the past has thought to be normal. Research has
now shown that these symptoms are really a sign of some
underlying problem, which if not remedied, will adversely impact
the student’s reading and hence learning, ability. The Crane
Reading Program has shown that if the problem is identified,
most symptoms can be remedied at the school by the teacher
assisted by a vision specialist. Many times, glasses will
correct the problem. If they do not, then vision skill
development may be needed.
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