Mission and History

The mission of District 33K Lions Eyemobile, Inc. is to provide free medical screenings including eye care, ear care and blood pressure testing to all residents of Massachusetts with emphasis to those that reside in District 33K. The screenings are provided as a public service free of any cost by the members of the Lions Clubs of District 33K. The District 33K Eyemobile, Inc. is a federally recognized 501 (C) 3 organization. Its members, officers, directors and medical advisors are volunteers and receive no remuneration whatsoever.

The activity started in 1970 as a community service project when two local Lions Clubs, Somerville and Waltham, raised funds to construct a portable medical screening unit named the Eyemobile. Its purpose was to provide free health screenings to its citizens with particular emphasis on vision care and the prevention of blindness, the major focus of its parent organization, the International Association of Lions Clubs. In 1974 the project expanded to include 58 communities, in and around the greater Boston areas, when the fifty-two Lions Clubs of Massachusetts District 33K elected to accept the Eyemobile and its mission as a District project. A separate non profit corporation was formed to carry out its goals. In 1988 the Clubs raised money to purchase a new trailer which was retired last year. As a result of a two year fund raising effort, a new motorized unit was just placed in service, fully equipped with the latest state-of-the-art equipment.

Since its inception, District 33K Lions Eyemobile, Inc. has provided a variety of health screenings to well over 25,000 children and adults. During a typical year, over 1,000 individuals receive vision, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, hearing, blood sugar and blood pressure screenings on a gratis basis. The Eyemobile is used at local health fairs, school functions, parades, county fairs, community functions and other Lion sponsored activities. Emphasis is directed towards the elderly, African Americans, Hispanics, and native Americans; all high-risk groups for eye related diseases such as glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, and children. The prevention and elimination of blindness and sight-impaired diseases remain the primary focus of the Corporation. In many cases the local Lions club fund the next level of treatment, or help find low cost treatment, when screenings indicate possible health problems.
Local Lions Clubs sponsor the screenings in their communities. Volunteers provide all the necessary medical and administrative staffing. Any costs, such utilities, and publicity, are borne by the sponsoring club. There is no cost to the public whatsoever. Operating expenses and maintenance costs of the Eyemobile are offset by donations from local Lions clubs.

The general area served by District 33K Eyemobile, Inc. is an economically diversified mixture of inner city, suburban and rural areas of approximately 950 square miles with over 2 million people in 58 communities. It includes most of the individuals that receive assistance in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; children on AFDC, individuals on Medicare/Medicaid and other third party forms of medical assistance. A 1997 study by Boston University researchers indicated that approximately 20% of Massachusetts residents do not have health insurance which, coupled with welfare cutbacks and reforms, will place in increasing demand for gratis health services. The Eyemobile helps fill this need.
Presently the Eyemobile proudly serves, and will continue to serve, all the communities in Boston and surrounding towns by providing free health screenings as a community service. WE SERVE is more than just a motto; it is a reality.