Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation

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News Release

Oregon Communities Called To Help Bring Vision Screenings To Students Statewide (Photo) - 09/30/26

Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation launches Back-to-School Campaign, calling on businesses, Lions Clubs and community members to help expand access to student vision screenings

PORTLAND, Ore. The Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation (OLSHF) is calling on communities across the state to help ensure Oregon students have access to vision screenings through its 2026-27 Back-to-School Campaign: Sponsor a Screening.

Each year, OLSHF's School Vision Screening program works with schools, Lions Clubs, volunteers and community partners to screen more than 200,000 Oregon students. The program is projected to conduct more than 900 on-site screenings this year, with approximately 19% of students screened referred for additional vision care.

 

That means tens of thousands of Oregon students may be identified with a potential vision concern this school year.

 

"Children don't always know that what they're seeing isn't normal," said Doug Thompson, CEO of the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation. "A vision screening can help identify a concern that might otherwise go unnoticed. Our goal is to reach as many Oregon students as possible, and accomplishing that takes communities coming together."

 

The Oregon Department of Education provides reimbursement of up to $4 per student for eligible vision screenings, and OLSHF is an approved vision screening provider for Oregon schools. However, providing screenings statewide requires additional resources for equipment, staffing, volunteer coordination and screening operations.

 

Through the Back-to-School Campaign, OLSHF is asking businesses, Lions Clubs, community organizations and individuals throughout Oregon to help Sponsor a Screening.

 

A contribution of $500 or more can help fund a complete vision screening for students in a local school district, while donations of any amount help OLSHF expand access to screenings across the state. Sponsors may also receive recognition through campaign materials, social media, event promotions and other opportunities.

For businesses looking for a hands-on way to give back, OLSHF also welcomes community groups interested in volunteering alongside screening teams when opportunities are available.

A Statewide Effort With a Local Impact

Vision concerns can affect a child's ability to read, participate in the classroom and succeed academically. Oregon Department of Education guidance notes that vision needs can go undetected without screening programs and potentially interfere with learning and other aspects of a student's development.

 

OLSHF's goal is simple: help provide vision screenings for every student in Oregon and connect students who may have a vision concern with appropriate follow-up resources.

 

The Foundation is especially encouraging Lions Clubs across Oregon to participate by sponsoring screenings directly or connecting OLSHF with businesses and organizations in their own communities.

 

A local business can help students in the community where its employees and customers live. A Lions Club can rally its community behind its local schools. An individual donation can help OLSHF reach another classroom of students.

Every contribution moves Oregon closer to reaching more children.

Oregon, Help Us Sponsor the Next Screening

Businesses, Lions Clubs, organizations and individuals interested in joining the campaign can learn more, sponsor a screening or make a contribution at:

olshf.org/backtoschool

 

Organizations interested in sponsorship recognition or additional information may contact marketing@olshf.org.

 

"Whether you're a statewide company, a neighborhood business, a Lions Club or simply someone who believes Oregon students deserve the opportunity to succeed, there is a place for you in this campaign," said Thompson. "Together, we can reach more students, identify more vision concerns early and help more children enter the classroom ready to learn."

About the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation

Since 1959, the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation has worked in partnership with Lions Clubs to provide sight and hearing assistance to communities throughout Oregon and Northern California. OLSHF's mission is to Screen, Treat, Save, and Restore sight and hearing in partnership with Lions Clubs. The Foundation serves more than 200,000 children and adults annually through programs including School Vision Screening, hearing assistance, eyeglass assistance, children's low vision services and access to medical treatment.

Attached Media Files: OLSHFBacktoSchoolCampaignFlyer.pdf,

Oregon Communities Called To Help Bring Vision Screenings To Students Statewide (Photo) - 09/30/26

Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation launches Back-to-School Campaign, calling on businesses, Lions Clubs and community members to help expand access to student vision screenings

PORTLAND, Ore. The Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation (OLSHF) is calling on communities across the state to help ensure Oregon students have access to vision screenings through its 2026-27 Back-to-School Campaign: Sponsor a Screening.

Each year, OLSHF's School Vision Screening program works with schools, Lions Clubs, volunteers and community partners to screen more than 200,000 Oregon students. The program is projected to conduct more than 900 on-site screenings this year, with approximately 19% of students screened referred for additional vision care.

 

That means tens of thousands of Oregon students may be identified with a potential vision concern this school year.

 

"Children don't always know that what they're seeing isn't normal," said Doug Thompson, CEO of the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation. "A vision screening can help identify a concern that might otherwise go unnoticed. Our goal is to reach as many Oregon students as possible, and accomplishing that takes communities coming together."

 

The Oregon Department of Education provides reimbursement of up to $4 per student for eligible vision screenings, and OLSHF is an approved vision screening provider for Oregon schools. However, providing screenings statewide requires additional resources for equipment, staffing, volunteer coordination and screening operations.

 

Through the Back-to-School Campaign, OLSHF is asking businesses, Lions Clubs, community organizations and individuals throughout Oregon to help Sponsor a Screening.

 

A contribution of $500 or more can help fund a complete vision screening for students in a local school district, while donations of any amount help OLSHF expand access to screenings across the state. Sponsors may also receive recognition through campaign materials, social media, event promotions and other opportunities.

For businesses looking for a hands-on way to give back, OLSHF also welcomes community groups interested in volunteering alongside screening teams when opportunities are available.

A Statewide Effort With a Local Impact

Vision concerns can affect a child's ability to read, participate in the classroom and succeed academically. Oregon Department of Education guidance notes that vision needs can go undetected without screening programs and potentially interfere with learning and other aspects of a student's development.

 

OLSHF's goal is simple: help provide vision screenings for every student in Oregon and connect students who may have a vision concern with appropriate follow-up resources.

 

The Foundation is especially encouraging Lions Clubs across Oregon to participate by sponsoring screenings directly or connecting OLSHF with businesses and organizations in their own communities.

 

A local business can help students in the community where its employees and customers live. A Lions Club can rally its community behind its local schools. An individual donation can help OLSHF reach another classroom of students.

Every contribution moves Oregon closer to reaching more children.

Oregon, Help Us Sponsor the Next Screening

Businesses, Lions Clubs, organizations and individuals interested in joining the campaign can learn more, sponsor a screening or make a contribution at:

olshf.org/backtoschool

 

Organizations interested in sponsorship recognition or additional information may contact marketing@olshf.org.

 

"Whether you're a statewide company, a neighborhood business, a Lions Club or simply someone who believes Oregon students deserve the opportunity to succeed, there is a place for you in this campaign," said Thompson. "Together, we can reach more students, identify more vision concerns early and help more children enter the classroom ready to learn."

About the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation

Since 1959, the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation has worked in partnership with Lions Clubs to provide sight and hearing assistance to communities throughout Oregon and Northern California. OLSHF's mission is to Screen, Treat, Save, and Restore sight and hearing in partnership with Lions Clubs. The Foundation serves more than 200,000 children and adults annually through programs including School Vision Screening, hearing assistance, eyeglass assistance, children's low vision services and access to medical treatment.

Attached Media Files: OLSHFBacktoSchoolCampaignFlyer.pdf,