District Cabinet Meeting - Sunday, January 11, 2026
LCIF District and Club Community Impact Grant Application
LCIF District and Club Community Impact Grant Application
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Project Name: MD27D1 Satellite Eyeglass Reading Center
Project Location: MD27D1 - Mazomanie, WI and Beloit, WI
LCIF Service Focus Area: Vision
Amount of funds requested from LCIF: $27,000
Number of people who will directly benefit from this project: 20,000
Description of the particular problems to be addressed:
The Wisconsin Lions Foundation (WLF) currently has a backlog of more than one million donated prescription eyeglasses awaiting processing. These eyeglasses cannot be used in Lions vision missions until they are read using lensometers and sorted into standardized prescription case packs. This backlog limits the number of individuals who can receive vision correction through Lions-supported projects both domestically and internationally.
To address this need, Lions of MD27D1 propose establishing two satellite eyeglass reading centers to expand processing capacity, reduce the backlog, and increase the number of eyeglasses available for Lions vision missions.
Project strategy and plan of action, including timeline:
The strategy of this project is to support the Wisconsin Lions Foundation by expanding the capacity to read, sort, and prepare recycled prescription eyeglasses for distribution through Lions vision missions. The project will establish two satellite eyeglass reading centers staffed and managed by trained Lions volunteers operating in accordance with WLF standard operating procedures.
The project was initially planned as a single satellite location in Mazomanie, Wisconsin. As the project was promoted within MD27D1, additional interest was expressed in creating a second satellite location in the Beloit, Wisconsin area. Each location will operate under a coordinated but distinct action plan.
Mazomanie Satellite Eyeglass Reading Center
At the Mazomanie location, washed eyeglasses will be delivered from WLF for processing.
Workstation Layout and Tasks
The Mazomanie satellite location will include three designated work areas:
1. Unsorted Storage Area - Shelving for crates of donated eyeglasses awaiting processing.
2. Reading Room - Equipped with one or two lensometers, plastic bags, and empty inner packs supplied by the Wisconsin Lions Foundation for reading and labeling prescriptions.
3. Sorted Storage Area - Shelving for completed and labeled eyeglasses, organized by prescription and prepared for shipment back to WLF in Rosholt, Wisconsin.
Volunteer Roles per Shift
To ensure efficient and accurate processing, each volunteer shift will include:
• Lensometer Operators (1-2 volunteers): Read prescriptions using lensometers
• Bagging and Labeling Volunteers (1-2 volunteers): Bag eyeglasses and record prescription information clearly and accurately
• Categorizing and Packing Volunteer (1 volunteer): Sort completed eyeglasses into appropriate case packs
The Mazomanie location will be staffed and managed by Lions volunteers from MD27D1 trained as Eyeglass Recycling (EGR) Coordinators. Due to its central location within Multiple District 27, the site is expected to attract Lions volunteers from MD27A1, MD27A2, MD27B1, MD27C1, MD27D1, and MD27D2.
The Mazomanie location will initially operate with a commitment of approximately 12 volunteer hours per week, spread over two to three days. Area Lions clubs will participate on a rotating basis, with one to two clubs committing to scheduled monthly shifts.
As the project expands, up to eight trained EGR Coordinators will serve as on-site guides, providing oversight, training, and quality assurance to ensure consistency and accuracy in eyeglass processing.
Beloit Satellite Location
A second satellite eyeglass reading center will be established in the Beloit/Brodhead area in partnership with Dr. Douglas Kelley of Beloit Family Eye Care and Brodhead Vision Clinic. Dr. Kelley and his staff will wash eyeglasses collected at the clinics and assist in training Lions volunteers to read and sort eyeglasses according to WLF standards.
Sorted eyeglasses from this location will be shipped either to the Mazomanie satellite center or directly to the Wisconsin Lions Foundation in Rosholt. One lensometer is required for this location to support operations.
Project Output
The combined satellite locations aim to process approximately 20,000 pairs of prescription eyeglasses during the first full year of operation, directly supporting Lions vision missions and improving access to corrective eyewear for individuals in need. Our goal is to process 20,000 eyeglasses in the first full year.
Project Timeline
April 2025
• Wisconsin Lions Foundation approached MD27D1 to establish a satellite eyeglass reading center to address the backlog of recycled eyeglasses.
June-July 2025
• Project leader completed WLF training to manage a satellite eyeglass reading center.
• Location identified in Mazomanie, WI, including lease terms, square footage, and costs.
August-October 2025 • Project proposed to the district cabinet. • Project promoted to Lions clubs to secure volunteer participation and philanthropic support for ongoing operational costs.
December 2025
• Alignment completed with WLF to ensure volunteer roles and procedures match organizational standards.
• Secondary Beloit location added to the project plan.
• WLF purchased one lensometer to support the Beloit satellite location.
February-March 2026
• Lease agreement finalized.
• Preparation of physical space for eyeglass reading center.
• Volunteer staffing commitments secured.
April-May 2026
• Purchase of lensometers and required materials, pending grant approval.
June-July 2026
• Opening of the satellite eyeglass reading center and commencement of eyeglass processing.PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY
This project is designed to be sustainable beyond the LCIF grant period. The requested grant funds will be used to purchase durable capital equipment, including lensometers and shelving, which have a long useful life and minimal ongoing maintenance costs. Once established, the satellite eyeglass reading centers will continue to operate through the ongoing commitment of Lions volunteers and participating clubs.
Operational support, including volunteer coordination and facility expenses, will be sustained through district and club-level philanthropic support and in-kind contributions. The project's partnership with the Wisconsin Lions Foundation ensures continued alignment with established vision programs and a consistent flow of eyeglasses for processing. The satellite center model allows Lions to scale volunteer participation without additional capital investment, ensuring long-term impact and continued service delivery in support of Lions vision missions.
PROJECT BUDGET
Income
Requested DCG Funds: $27,000Other sources (if applicable): None
Total Income: $27,000
Expenses
Item #1 - 2 qty. Lensometer with 5-year warranty at approximately $13,100 each ($26,200).
Item #2 - 14 qty. Heavy Duty Warehouse Shelves at $50 each ($700 plus sales tax) to store inventory of glasses.Total Expenses: $27,000
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