The major focus of Lions fund raising activities is sight conservation,
although other projects are pursued such as drug awareness programs in
high schools, diabetes awareness programs and other programs that are
specific to individual Clubs and Districts.
Lions took up sight conservation as their major goal after a speech
given by Helen Keller
at the Lions
International Convention held at Cedar Point, Ohio, in 1925.
At that time, Helen Keller challenged the Lions to become "Knights of the Blind",
a challenge that has become a rallying cry for Lions projects around
the world.
Helen Keller's Speech
1925 International Convention
at Cedar Point, Ohio USA June 30, 1925
Dear Lions and Ladies:
I suppose you have heard the legend that represents opportunity as a
capricious lady,
who knocks at every door but once, and if
the door isn't opened
quickly, she passes on, never to return. And that is as it
should be.
Lovely, desirable ladies won't wait. You have to go out and
grab 'em.
I am your opportunity. I am knocking at your door.
I want to be
adopted. The legend doesn't say what you are to do when
several
beautiful opportunities present themselves at the same door.
I guess
you have to choose the one you love best. I hope you will
adopt me. I
am the youngest here, and what I offer you is full of splendid
opportunities for service.
The American Foundation for the Blind is only four
years old. It grew out of the imperative needs of the blind,
and was
called into existence by the sightless themselves. It is
national and
international in scope and in importance. It represents the
best and
most enlightened thought on our subject that has been reached so far.
Its object is to make the lives of the blind more worthwhile
everywhere
by increasing their economic value and giving them the joy of normal
activity.
Try to imagine how you would feel if you were suddenly stricken blind
today. Picture yourself stumbling and groping at noonday as
in the
night; your work, your independence, gone. In that dark
world wouldn't
you be glad if a friend took you by the hand and said, "Come with me
and I will teach you how to do some of the things you used to do when
you could see"? That is just the kind of friend
the American Foundation
is going to be to all the blind in this country if seeing people will
give it the support it must have.
You have heard how through a little word dropped from the fingers of
another, a ray of light from another soul touched the darkness of my
mind and I found myself, found the world, found God. It is
because my
teacher learned about me and broke through the dark, silent
imprisonment which held me that I am able to work for myself and for
others. It is the caring we want more than money.
The gift without the
sympathy and interest of the giver is empty. If you care, if
we can
make the people of this great country care, the blind will indeed
triumph over blindness.
The opportunity I bring to you, Lions, is this: To foster and
sponsor
the work of the American Foundation for the Blind. Will you
not help me
hasten the day when there shall be no preventable blindness; no little
deaf, blind child untaught; no blind man or woman unaided? I
appeal to
you Lions, you who have your sight, your hearing, you who are strong
and brave and kind. Will you not constitute yourselves Knights
of the Blind in this crusade against darkness?
I thank you.
Helen Keller
International Convention
Cedar Point, Ohio USA June 30, 1925
The above information came from the Lions Clubs
International website. (See Link Below)
Helen Keller's Speech