Heartland Lions Eye Banks Launches New Site!

We invite you to check out our newly designed website at www.hleb.org. In addition to providing information on eye banking and cornea transplants, we are also spotlighting our generous eye donors as well as the cornea recipients they’ve blessed with the gift of sight.

So stop in, look around, and let us know what you think!

11,500 Pairs of Eyeglasses Head to Mexico

For many around the world, clear vision through the convenience of pair of new eyeglasses is unaffordable and inaccessible. However, thanks to the dedication and hard work of mission groups going abroad to deliver recycled eyeglasses, thousands of individuals living in third world countries can know the joy of seeing clearly - some for the first time in their lives.

Recently, the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation was able to provide nearly 11,500 recycled eyeglasses to Jefferson City’s Concord Baptist Church for two mission trips to Mexico...

What Do You Know About Eye Banking?

Find out when you visit Heartland Lions Eye Banks' Facebook page from December 6th through 10th.

In recognition of Lions Eye Banks Week, we'll be hosting a special trivia contest each day. This is your chance to learn more about eye donation and win great Donate Life/HLEB prizes. Like us now to stay on top of contest developments.

And be sure to follow us on Twitter at EyeBanks and MLERF!

Recurring Donations Now Available

Did you know by donating just $10 a month to the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation, you can screen 24 kids a year for the leading causes of childhood blindness? Or help fund the cost of a sight-saving corneal transplant for someone in need?

Now the Foundation has made it even easier to help individuals right in your own community. With our new online recurring payment option available at www.mlerf.org/give, you can donate to the Foundation automatically each month through your credit card or bank account.

KU and MU Fans - Join the Donate Life Border Showdown

As we all know, there’s a long-seated rivalry between Mizzou and the University of Kansas. Now that rivalry has expanded beyond the playing field and it might just save lives.

Midwest Transplant Network (MTN), a sponsor of the State Farm Border Showdown game, is encouraging Jayhawks and Tigers alike to join their state’s donor registry to see which school will win with most organ donor registry sign-ups. The Eye Bank is joining MTN at University of Kansas Hospital on November 16th to help promote this exciting event!

In addition, you can check out Kansas' brand-new first-person consent registry and enter to win tickets to the Border Showdown game from MTN!

A big thank you to Levi, Ray & Shoup, Inc. employees in Illinois and Missouri. By contributing $5 to wear jeans on a Friday, their staff raised $720 to help support the Eye Bank's mission!

American Diabetes Month
November 1-30, 2010
Did you know diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults? Learn how you can reduce your risk!

National Donor Sabbath Prayer Service
November 14, 2010, 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Washington Park Botanical Garden
1740 West Fayette Ave.
Springfield, IL 62704
The Eye Bank will join Gift of Hope, Memorial Medical Center and St. John's Hospital in honoring donor families and recipients.

Border Showdown Donor Registry Drive
November 16, 2010, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
University of Kansas Hospital
3901 Rainbow Blvd.
Kansas City, KS 66160
Join the MTN and the Eye Bank as we encourage MU and KU fans to join their state's donor registry.

Saint Louis Science Center Health Fest 2010
November 20, 2010, 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
5050 Oakland Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63310
The Foundation will be providing free Children's Vision and Glaucoma Detection screenings at this annual event.

Memorial Medical Center's 21st Annual Festival of Trees
November 20-28, 2010, time varies
Orr Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds
801 Sangamon Ave.
Springfield, IL 62706
The Eye Bank is helping to sponsor a tree at this annual event to benefit Memorial Medical Center programs.

Foundation Board of Directors Meeting
December 4, 2010, 9 a.m.
MLERF Library
404 Portland St.
Columbia, MO 65201

50th anniversary pins are still available! If you would like to order a pin for $10, please contact the Foundation at info@mlerf.org or at 800-283-1982.

Take a look at what we're doing in your community! Review the monthly program stats for your Lions district.

Top Giving Lions Clubs for 7/1/10 - 10/31/10