Better Vision. Better Hearing. Better Georgia.
Ask The Lighthouse
Do you have questions about the Lighthouse or any of its programs? Did you recently discover something about the Lighthouse that you think other clubs may not know? Please write to Lucy at lzhou@lionslighthouse.org with your questions or comments so they can be published in The Beacon, your district newsletter, the state magazine, and here on the website.
Regarding Lighthouse Services
What are the qualifications for receiving services through the Lighthouse?
The qualifications depend on the program.
For our eye clinics and glasses:
Regarding White Cane
How do we submit our White Cane Chair and goal?
You can e-mail the name and contact information of your White Cane Chair, along with your club's White Cane goal to Lucy at lzhou@lionslighthouse.org, or you can submit it online through the White Cane Chair form.
What is the difference between regular club giving and White Cane giving?
When your club gives a “regular” contribution it goes into the Lighthouse’s general funds. From there it can be used for eye clinics, eye glasses, the hearing aid program, the eye surgery program, or administrative costs. Your Lighthouse operates at 6% overhead, so $0.94 of every dollar donated goes directly to programs and services. When your club donates to White Cane, 100% of the donation is used for the eye surgery program to help save a Georgian’s sight. When you give to the Lighthouse, be sure the check is designated “White Cane” or “regular.” The designation will help ensure that your funds are used the way you intend.
Can my individual gifts count toward our White Cane total?
Yes, any individual contribution automatically counts toward your club. Just be sure to include your club’s name on the check, and whether you want the contribution to go toward White Cane or regular club giving.
Can we get posters or other printed materials from the Lighthouse for White Cane days or other events?
Yes, we have 3 posters per club that we would be happy to send to you for White Cane. We also have bookmarks, pamphlets, brochures, and a short video that help explain what your Lighthouse does throughout Georgia. To request any of those items, please contact Lucy at 404-325-3630 x 313 or at lzhou@lionslighthouse.org.
Is there a logo for White Cane? If there is, how do we access it?
We are currently in the process of re-branding White Cane. The logo we have now is of a blind man wielding a white cane. This logo gives the impression that White Cane finances are for the assistance of those who are already blind. In reality, White Cane funds are used to prevent the use of a white cane. A new logo is being designed that we hope will more clearly illustrate the fundraiser's purpose.
How can we make sure our donation goes toward White Cane?
Checks we receive from Lions clubs are considered "regular" club gifts unless they are otherwise indicated. Ensure that your White Cane check gets credited the way you intend by writing "White Cane" in the "for" section of your check.
Regarding Lighthouse Services
What are the qualifications for receiving services through the Lighthouse?
The qualifications depend on the program.
For our eye clinics and glasses:
-
Patients must have been a legal Georgia resident for at least one year.
- Patients may not have insurance that covers the service we provide. (E.g., Medicare covers eye exams, but not glasses. So patients covered by Medicare are instructed to get their exam and a prescription through their doctor, but we will help with the glasses.)
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Patients must have a household income below 200% of the federal poverty guideline. (Click here for the 2009 Federal Poverty Thresholds)
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Patients must have been a legal Georgia resident for at least one year.
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Patients may not have insurance that already covers the surgery.
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Patients must have a household income below 100% of the federal poverty guideline. (Click here for the 2009 Federal Poverty Thresholds)
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Patients must have been a legal Georgia resident for at least one year.
-
Patients must not have insurance that covers hearing aids (many insurance companies consider hearing aids "cosmetic" and do not cover them. Therefore, simply having health insurance is not enough to preclude someone from receiving assistance with hearing aids through the Lighthouse).
- Patients must have a household income below 200% of the federal poverty guideline. (Click here for the 2009 Federal Poverty Thresholds)
Regarding White Cane
How do we submit our White Cane Chair and goal?
You can e-mail the name and contact information of your White Cane Chair, along with your club's White Cane goal to Lucy at lzhou@lionslighthouse.org, or you can submit it online through the White Cane Chair form.
What is the difference between regular club giving and White Cane giving?
When your club gives a “regular” contribution it goes into the Lighthouse’s general funds. From there it can be used for eye clinics, eye glasses, the hearing aid program, the eye surgery program, or administrative costs. Your Lighthouse operates at 6% overhead, so $0.94 of every dollar donated goes directly to programs and services. When your club donates to White Cane, 100% of the donation is used for the eye surgery program to help save a Georgian’s sight. When you give to the Lighthouse, be sure the check is designated “White Cane” or “regular.” The designation will help ensure that your funds are used the way you intend.
Can my individual gifts count toward our White Cane total?
Yes, any individual contribution automatically counts toward your club. Just be sure to include your club’s name on the check, and whether you want the contribution to go toward White Cane or regular club giving.
Can we get posters or other printed materials from the Lighthouse for White Cane days or other events?
Yes, we have 3 posters per club that we would be happy to send to you for White Cane. We also have bookmarks, pamphlets, brochures, and a short video that help explain what your Lighthouse does throughout Georgia. To request any of those items, please contact Lucy at 404-325-3630 x 313 or at lzhou@lionslighthouse.org.
Is there a logo for White Cane? If there is, how do we access it?
We are currently in the process of re-branding White Cane. The logo we have now is of a blind man wielding a white cane. This logo gives the impression that White Cane finances are for the assistance of those who are already blind. In reality, White Cane funds are used to prevent the use of a white cane. A new logo is being designed that we hope will more clearly illustrate the fundraiser's purpose.
How can we make sure our donation goes toward White Cane?
Checks we receive from Lions clubs are considered "regular" club gifts unless they are otherwise indicated. Ensure that your White Cane check gets credited the way you intend by writing "White Cane" in the "for" section of your check.
Regarding Lighthouse Publications
When is The Beacon published?
There are currently two versions of our newsletter, The Beacon. One version is electronic, and it is sent out every month. The other version is a hard-copy, and it is issued 3-4 times per year and is sent to every Lion in the state. If you currently do not receive the Beacon but would like to, please send your name and contact information to Lucy at 404-325-3630 x 313 or lzhou@lionslighthouse.org.
What is the difference between the content the Lighthouse puts in the district newsletters and that in The Beacon?
Every month the Lighthouse publishes information to be included in each district’s newsletter and in the electronic Beacon. The Beacon is sent to a wide audience, including Lions and non-Lion volunteers, donors, doctors, and others who are interested in Lighthouse news. The district newsletters, as you know, are only distributed to Lions in each district. Therefore, the information in each district newsletter addresses the ways in which the Lighthouse is operating in each Lions’ district. The information in The Beacon tends to be much broader, focusing on what the Lighthouse is doing throughout the state, and how others can get involved.