Summerville, SC – Lions Vision Services is celebrating a record-breaking year of sight-saving

eye surgeries provided to South Carolina residents in poverty, noting a significant impact in

Dorchester County, and statewide recognition by the Secretary of State’s Office. These

milestones come just in time for Dorchester County residents to give the gift of sight by making

a gift to LVS before the end of the year.

During its 2023 Fiscal Year, LVS achieved a 54-year record of providing 138 sight-saving eye

surgeries to South Carolina residents experiencing poverty! This is a significant upscaling of the

state’s most comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable nonprofit eye surgery program, which

keeps pace with the organization’s ambitious 3-year Strategic Plan.

Dorchester County featured prominently in the organization’s service footprint this year,

receiving the third highest number of LVS services statewide with a measurable impact for

Dorchester County residents. LVS invested more than $15,000 in Dorchester County, creating a

more than $50,000 total economic impact. Ten cataract surgeries saved sight for Dorchester

County residents.

Support for this expansion of LVS services in Dorchester County is made possible by generous

grant funding from the Open Grants fund at Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina,

Post & Courier Foundation, the Boeing Employee Community Fund, and individuals like you.

Eyecare partners who assisted LVS in providing eye surgeries in Dorchester County included

Carolina Cataract & Laser, Carolina Eyecare Physicians, Lowcountry Eye Specialists, and the

Storm Eye Institute at MUSC.

These accomplishments were recently recognized by South Carolina Secretary of State, Mark

Hammond, when LVS was selected as a 2023 Angel Charity. The Secretary of State annually

selects organizations that represent some of the most efficient and effective charities soliciting in

South Carolina. This project is an important educational tool to inform the public on how its

charitable dollars are spent. LVS is 1 of only 12 organizations to receive the honor in 2023.



“Every year, I recognize ‘Angel’ charities that have made significant contributions to South

Carolina -- not only to recognize their accomplishments, but to encourage donors to practice

wise charitable giving,” said Secretary Hammond. “As the holidays approach, I hope that

everyone will extend the same caring and generosity to others. As always, remember to give

from the heart, but please give smart.”

Dorchester County residents, and philanthropists worldwide, can join LVS in continuing this

momentous season, already illustrated by the more than 75 eye surgeries provided in the new

fiscal year, by making a year-end donation to LVS.

Gifts can be made:

 - Online at lionsvisionservices.org/donate.

 - By mailing a check to the LVS office (234-C Outlet Pointe Blvd, Columbia, SC 29210).

 - Or by contacting LVS’s CEO ([email protected], 803-796-1305) to initiate a stock transfer, IRA distribution,

or blended gift.

With a statewide network of partners including ophthalmologists, anesthesiologists, and surgery

centers who assist LVS in providing affordable eye surgeries, LVS can leverage every $1 raised

into an additional $3 in services, yielding a significant ROI for investors.

LVS encourages individuals in Dorchester County who are interested in receiving eyecare

services to contact LVS at (803) 796-1304 or [email protected].

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Lions Vision Services (LVS) was created by the Lions Clubs of South Carolina in 1969 and

exists today to empower the under-served blind and visually impaired in South Carolina to live

safe, meaningful, and fulfilling lives. LVS offers a range of programs and services to low-

income South Carolina residents who apply for need-based financial assistance with obtaining

eye exams, eyeglasses, affordable eye surgeries, and vision technology. Free vision screenings

are provided to promote early detection and correction of vision impairments. Each spring the

organization hosts a Blind Fishing event and manages quarterly meetings of the Palmetto Vision

Alliance. To learn more about LVS, visit www.lionsvisionservices.org.