Lions World Vision Institute

02/23/2026

💙Lions World Vision Institute's Mission Moment💙

Sam was a firefighter, paramedic, son, brother, and friend—defined by compassion, humility, and a deep desire to help others.

He joined Alachua County Fire Rescue at 16, became their youngest hire at 18, and loved being on the front lines caring for people in crisis. Off duty, he was a devoted big brother, especially close to his sister, and quietly lived a life of giving—donating blood, registering as a partial liver donor, and ultimately giving again through cornea donation. As his mom Marianne said, “It just made sense. That’s who he was.” At his funeral, hundreds gathered to honor the impact he made.

Today, his family carries on his legacy of service and generosity. “Fun and funny. Faithful and kind. Generous and loyal.” That’s how Sam is remembered—and through his final gift, he continues to bring healing and hope.

For more Hero stories like Sam's, please visit: https://lwvi.org/donor-families-and-recipients/our-heroes/

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02/18/2026

On February 12th we proudly launched Women of Vision, our new giving circle dedicated to advancing pediatric eye care and expanding access through the Vision Health Center.

We’re honored to recognize Andrea Gonzmart Williams as one of the first Women of Vision to step forward and commit to this initiative. Her generosity will fuel our Vision Health Programs for generations to come, ensuring children and families receive critical screenings, eye exams, and life-changing vision care.

Andrea's leadership marks the beginning of something extraordinary. Thank you for being a part of our mission, Andrea 👓✨

For more information on how you can support our mission, please visit: https://lwvi.org/vision-health/vision-health-center/

02/16/2026

At 14, Carol lost the usable vision in one eye when chickenpox scarred her cornea—turning the world into a shadowy blur. Light hurt. Glasses couldn’t help.
A corneal transplant gave her sight back—and changed everything. For decades, she hiked, skied, traveled, and built a full life.
Years later, that cornea began to fail. In her sixties, Carol needed a second transplant. This time, when her vision returned, it felt brighter than ever—colors sharpened, faces came into focus, and she even witnessed the aurora borealis.
Carol often thinks about the donor and their family who made this possible.
“Every day I look out at the world,” she says, “I’m looking through someone else’s window.”
She shares her story to honor that gift—and to encourage others to consider donation. Because to Carol, sight is more than vision. It’s gratitude, connection, and truly seeing what matters.

02/13/2026

Last night, we proudly launched Women of Vision, our new giving circle dedicated to advancing pediatric eye care and expanding access through the Vision Health Center.

We’re honored to recognize Michelle Turman as the first Woman of Vision to step forward and commit to this initiative. Her generosity will fuel our Vision Health Programs for generations to come, ensuring children and families receive critical screenings, eye exams, and life-changing vision care.

Michelle’s leadership marks the beginning of something extraordinary. Thank you to Michelle & the Catalyst Consulting Services Family for being a part of our mission.

02/09/2026

For those who haven’t lived with corneal blindness, it can be hard to fully grasp the experience. This image provides a small window into that reality: objects may be visible, but clarity is lost, making it difficult to identify what they are.

02/05/2026

After two sold-out years, Vision in Bloom returns for its 3rd annual tea party on April 10, 2026! 💐

Set inside our historic headquarters in Ybor City, this elegant afternoon brings together inspiring women for tea, treats, meaningful connection, and a shared commitment to making vision accessible for all.

In partnership with Working Women Of Tampa Bay, the LWVI Foundation invites you to join us for premium teas, mimosas, sweet and savory bites … and don’t forget your statement hat 👒✨! Tickets are limited and expected to sell out (again!), so gather your girlfriends and get ready for a spring tradition where purpose and community bloom, .

Link to learn more and purchase tickets 🎟️: give.classy.org/VisioninBloom26

Join me in attending the 3rd annual "Vision in Bloom," the delightful tea party fundraiser hosted by Lions World Vision Institute and Working Women of Tampa Bay, taking place on Friday, April 10, 2026! Visit GIVE-CLASSY-ORG-VISIONINBLOOM26 for details.

02/02/2026

In recognition of Low Vision Awareness Month this February, Lighthouse Works (LW) and Lions World Vision Institute (LWVI) are pleased to announce a new collaborative employment initiative designed to expand career opportunities for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

This week, the first Lighthouse Works employee officially began work at LWVI in its contact center, supporting the organization’s mission-driven work in facilitating cornea donation and transplantation. LW team members will assist with intake and coordination activities within the contact center, helping ensure timely and compassionate communication throughout the donation process.

The partnership aligns both organizations around a shared commitment to advancing independence, economic mobility, and equitable employment pathways for people with vision loss.

“This collaboration reflects the best of what mission-driven nonprofits can accomplish together,” said Kaleb Stunkard, President & CEO of Lighthouse Works. “It strengthens the ecosystem of support for the community we serve and opens new doors for talent development.”

“LWVI is proud to welcome our first Lighthouse employee into our customer care center team,” said Jason Woody, President & CEO of Lions World Vision Institute. “By supporting the cornea donation process, Lighthouse employees are contributing directly to restoring sight and changing lives. We look forward to expanding this partnership in the months ahead.”

Both organizations are actively exploring additional areas of collaboration to further increase impact across Florida and beyond.

01/30/2026

As we reflect on the first month of 2026, one truth stands above all else: because of you, children can see their world more clearly.

Because of your support, students who once struggled to read a chalkboard now see with confidence. Families facing financial barriers have access to essential vision care. And early vision challenges are caught before becoming lifelong obstacles.

In just January alone, our Youth Vision Program and Mobile Vision Clinic have already hosted 18 clinics across local elementary, middle, and high schools — providing exams, glasses, and hope for students who need it most.

From the children whose classrooms are brighter, the families whose burdens were eased, and all of us committed to this mission, thank you for making sight, opportunity, and hope possible 👓✨

12/31/2025

As we reflect on this year, we’re reminded that none of our work is possible without you.
Your year-end gift helps expand access to essential vision care, from screenings to research to training the next generation of sight-saving surgeons.

The countdown is on⏰… make your final impact of the year count!

✨ Donate today and be part of someone’s brighter future: https://lwvi.org/make-a-gift/

Thank you for standing with us and helping bring the gift of sight to those who need it most, .

12/29/2025

The holiday season is the perfect time to give back, and few gifts are as life-changing as the gift of sight. With only 2 days left to give in 2025, your donation can help change someone’s life in the year ahead.

For just $10, you can help provide a child with a pair of glasses or support the corneal tissue needed for a sight-restoring transplant.

Your generosity today can open a brighter, clearer future for someone tomorrow. ✨
🔗https://lwvi.org/make-a-gift/

Donate before year-end and help us give the gift of sight.

12/25/2025

Merry Christmas from your friends at Lions World Vision Institute!

Each year, we ask children from the Hillsborough County Public Schools Very Important People Who Are Visually Impaired People (VIP2) program to submit artwork for our annual holiday art contest. Our staff selects the winner, and their art is featured on the Lions World Vision Institute’s official holiday card.

This year's winner is Christopher!

He is in third grade and his visual impairment is Strabismus. "Christopher is an amazing boy with the sweetest heart! He loves Christmas and he loves to draw."

We are honored to share Christopher's creation with you.

12/22/2025

Today, Jenn wakes up each morning with renewed independence and joy, and with the letter from Shaun’s family by her bedside. It reminds her of the young man whose generosity transformed her life and restored her freedom.

Her eye color may be the same, but the lens through which she sees the world has changed forever.

This is the power of eye donation.
This is the impact of compassion.
This is what your generosity makes possible.

As we close the year, you can help carry this legacy forward. Your support ensures more families, like Jenn’s and Shaun’s, experience stories of healing, connection, and hope 💙

👉 Make your year-end gift today: https://give.classy.org/seethejoyofgiving2025