In 1942, a group of Lions Club members from Memphis, with the cooperation of local ophthalmologists and hospitals, formed an organization whose sole purpose was to provide help to needy people in mid-America who had sight deficiencies. Since that time, the organization has grown to become the Mid-South Lions Sight And Hearing Service. As a federally registered not for profit organization, our main service areas include the states of Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee. Our main sight clinic is located in the Hamilton Eye Institute in Memphis and our hearing clinic is located in the Methodist Hospital Central in Memphis. Our other sight facilities in Memphis include: Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center, Charles Retina Clinic, and Thomas Ocular Prosthetics . The Lions have also made agreements with facilities to create satellite clinics in Rogers, Arkansas; Hot Springs, Arkansas; Mountain Home, Arkansas; Rolla, Missouri; Jackson, Mississippi; Columbus, Mississippi; and Ocean Springs, Mississippi. With collaborations with area medical professionals who donate their professional services, the University of Tennessee Ophthalmology's resident program, Methodist LeBonheur Healthcare and our other medical facilities and the Lions of the four state area, Mid-South Lions is able to provide about five dollars in service for each dollar spent on patient care. As in 1942, Mid-South Lions does not accept government funding. Most of our financing comes from Lions Clubs, Foundations and Corporate Partners, Individuals and Special Events. And to this day, Mid-South Lions Sight And Hearing Service provides all of its services at NO CHARGE to the patient. Participating Lions Clubs provide transportation and eyeglasses. All other charges are provided by Mid-South Lions Sight and Hearing Service.
