Page 4 - LGS Today Fall-Winter 2022

“Together we can!”
— Lion Brian Sheehan International President
Lions International Board Visits Minnesota
In October, International President Lion Brian Sheehan, the International board of directors, Lions International staff, and many partners in service from all over the world visited Minnesota to conduct business and learn more about Lions Multiple District 5M (Minnesota, Manitoba, and Northwest Ontario).
Countries of origin for the 150 guests in- cluded Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, Finland, Germany, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Paraguay, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United States. This variety ac- curately reflects the International aspect of Lions, who have been reaching across borders for more than 100 years.
Many festivities were planned throughout Minnesota to highlight the beauty and allure of our state. While in the Twin Cities, visitors were treated to dinner at the historic Minneapolis Club and an Oktober- fest celebration at the Nicollet Island Inn Pavilion. Then they headed north to see what Duluth and Brainerd had to offer, not the least of which was the stunning autumn colors!
While the International Board was conducting business, the partners
of board members came to Lions Gift of Sight for lunch, talks, and a tour. Staff from every avenue of the eye bank helped teach about the intricacies of eye banking and about the world-class research being conducted or facilitated by LGS.
It is a privilege to share our mission with others who give service from the heart!
LGS Executive Director, Sean Poppoff, and wife, Haylee, clowning with International President Bri- an Sheehan at the Minneapolis Club. A highlight of the evening was the induction of Jakub Tolar, M.D., dean of the Medical School, into the Minneapolis Ambassadors Lions Club.
“Germans-for-a-day” Lions members.
Lions International Convention
The world’s largest human- itarian service organization celebrated several milestones during the 104th annual Lions Clubs International Convention in Montréal, Québec, in July. More than 6,700 Lions from 127 countries attended this pinnacle event, which reconnected people from around the world, shared innovative ways to grow and support clubs, and commemo- rated another year of serving communities in need.
Lions Clubs International Foun- dation announced the results of Campaign 100, a 5-year initiative to raise $300 million to address the needs of communities both local and global. LCIF surpassed its goal, raising $324.6 million!
LIONS GIFT OF SIGHT (LGS) is a community-based non-profit eye bank. Founded in 1960, it is the oldest donation organization in Minnesota. LGS serves the needs of donors and recipients in Minnesota, western Wisconsin, and North Dakota, 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year. LGS distributes corneas for transplant and eyes and corneas for research and medical education.
With a stringent eye bank quality assurance program that audits all aspects of operations, LGS upholds the highest tissue quality standards. LGS is accredited by the Eye Bank Association of America, inspected by the Food and Drug Administration, and follows OSHA and University of Minnesota Office of the Vice President for Research guidelines. LGS is a proud part of the Minnesota Lions Vision Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
4 Lions Gift of Sight