Lions World Vision Institute

02/18/2026

On February 12th we proudly launched Women of Vision, our new giving circle dedicated to advancing pediatric eye care and expanding access through the Vision Health Center.

We’re honored to recognize Andrea Gonzmart Williams as one of the first Women of Vision to step forward and commit to this initiative. Her generosity will fuel our Vision Health Programs for generations to come, ensuring children and families receive critical screenings, eye exams, and life-changing vision care.

Andrea's leadership marks the beginning of something extraordinary. Thank you for being a part of our mission, Andrea 👓✨

For more information on how you can support our mission, please visit: https://lwvi.org/vision-health/vision-health-center/

02/16/2026

At 14, Carol lost the usable vision in one eye when chickenpox scarred her cornea—turning the world into a shadowy blur. Light hurt. Glasses couldn’t help.
A corneal transplant gave her sight back—and changed everything. For decades, she hiked, skied, traveled, and built a full life.
Years later, that cornea began to fail. In her sixties, Carol needed a second transplant. This time, when her vision returned, it felt brighter than ever—colors sharpened, faces came into focus, and she even witnessed the aurora borealis.
Carol often thinks about the donor and their family who made this possible.
“Every day I look out at the world,” she says, “I’m looking through someone else’s window.”
She shares her story to honor that gift—and to encourage others to consider donation. Because to Carol, sight is more than vision. It’s gratitude, connection, and truly seeing what matters.

02/13/2026

Last night, we proudly launched Women of Vision, our new giving circle dedicated to advancing pediatric eye care and expanding access through the Vision Health Center.

We’re honored to recognize Michelle Turman as the first Woman of Vision to step forward and commit to this initiative. Her generosity will fuel our Vision Health Programs for generations to come, ensuring children and families receive critical screenings, eye exams, and life-changing vision care.

Michelle’s leadership marks the beginning of something extraordinary. Thank you to Michelle & the Catalyst Consulting Family for being a part of our mission.

02/09/2026

For those who haven’t lived with corneal blindness, it can be hard to fully grasp the experience. This image provides a small window into that reality: objects may be visible, but clarity is lost, making it difficult to identify what they are.

02/05/2026

After two sold-out years, Vision in Bloom returns for its 3rd annual tea party on April 10, 2026! 💐

Set inside our historic headquarters in Ybor City, this elegant afternoon brings together inspiring women for tea, treats, meaningful connection, and a shared commitment to making vision accessible for all.

In partnership with , the LWVI Foundation invites you to join us for premium teas, mimosas, sweet and savory bites … and don’t forget your statement hat 👒✨! Tickets are limited and expected to sell out (again!), so gather your girlfriends and get ready for a spring tradition where purpose and community bloom, .

Link to learn more and purchase tickets 🎟️: give.classy.org/VisioninBloom26

Join me in attending the 3rd annual "Vision in Bloom," the delightful tea party fundraiser hosted by Lions World Vision Institute and Working Women of Tampa Bay, taking place on Friday, April 10, 2026! Visit GIVE-CLASSY-ORG-VISIONINBLOOM26 for details.

02/02/2026

In recognition of Low Vision Awareness Month this February, Lighthouse Works (LW) and Lions World Vision Institute (LWVI) are pleased to announce a new collaborative employment initiative designed to expand career opportunities for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

This week, the first Lighthouse Works employee officially began work at LWVI in its contact center, supporting the organization’s mission-driven work in facilitating cornea donation and transplantation. LW team members will assist with intake and coordination activities within the contact center, helping ensure timely and compassionate communication throughout the donation process.

The partnership aligns both organizations around a shared commitment to advancing independence, economic mobility, and equitable employment pathways for people with vision loss.

“This collaboration reflects the best of what mission-driven nonprofits can accomplish together,” said Kaleb Stunkard, President & CEO of Lighthouse Works. “It strengthens the ecosystem of support for the community we serve and opens new doors for talent development.”

“LWVI is proud to welcome our first Lighthouse employee into our customer care center team,” said Jason Woody, President & CEO of Lions World Vision Institute. “By supporting the cornea donation process, Lighthouse employees are contributing directly to restoring sight and changing lives. We look forward to expanding this partnership in the months ahead.”

Both organizations are actively exploring additional areas of collaboration to further increase impact across Florida and beyond.

01/30/2026

As we reflect on the first month of 2026, one truth stands above all else: because of you, children can see their world more clearly.

Because of your support, students who once struggled to read a chalkboard now see with confidence. Families facing financial barriers have access to essential vision care. And early vision challenges are caught before becoming lifelong obstacles.

In just January alone, our Youth Vision Program and Mobile Vision Clinic have already hosted 18 clinics across local elementary, middle, and high schools — providing exams, glasses, and hope for students who need it most.

From the children whose classrooms are brighter, the families whose burdens were eased, and all of us committed to this mission, thank you for making sight, opportunity, and hope possible 👓✨

01/15/2026

“Without your gift, I would have lost the important parts of my life forever”.

Debi’s vision is vital in her vocation as an attorney and in participating in the activities that bring her joy. She was gradually losing her ability to see and without a she feared she would become blind.

Thanks to a generous cornea donor her vision is fully restored.

She says in a letter to her donor family “There are no words that can express my gratitude to you.” She continues “I am expecting my first grandchild in October, and I look forward to being able to see my grandchild as she/he grows up”.

Thank you to everyone that helps LWVI unlock life’s possibilities, .

01/12/2026

On this , and before charging ahead into everything 2026 will bring, we want to honor what made 2025 so powerful.

This past year, Lions World Vision Institute advanced sight and healing because of an extraordinary community working together across the country and around the world. To our dedicated staff and leaders, our generous Foundation supporters, ophthalmologists, hospital partners, coroners and medical examiners, thank you for showing up every day with excellence, compassion, and purpose.

And most of all, we honor the donors and donor families whose selfless gifts restore vision, create possibility, and change lives forever. Everything we do begins with you.

This video captures just a glimpse of what’s possible when innovation, collaboration, and heart come together in service of others. We are already gearing up for an incredible 2026 expanding impact, advancing science, and reaching more people in need than ever before.

But reflection matters. Gratitude matters. And success is always sweeter when we recognize the people behind it.

Here’s to what we’ve accomplished together, and to everything still to come, .

01/09/2026

On December 19th we held a monumental moment at Lions World Vision Institute as we continue to make progress on our future Vision Health Center in Ybor City. We are especially grateful for the many leaders, partners, and well over 100 attendees who attended this groundbreaking milestone.

A heartfelt thank you to U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor for her steadfast support and advocacy in helping move this vision forward. Her commitment to children’s health and access to care has been instrumental in seeing this project through to this important moment.

We also extend our appreciation to Congressman Gus Bilirakis for sharing his message with our audience and for his continued support of Lions World Vision Institute and this transformational project.

We are equally thankful to Mayor Jane Castor, Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan & Commissioner Harry Cohen, Council Member Naya Young, Board Chairman Mike Griffin, and Parks & Recreation Site Supervisor Jamal Jefferson for sharing inspirational messages and for their commitment to the health and well-being of the communities we serve.

We would also like to thank the ever so professional Lissete Campos for being our master of ceremonies. And a special shout-out goes to Thaddeus Bullard aka Titus O'Neil for his continued support of our region's youth programs.

It truly takes a village, and we are grateful to stand alongside champions who believe in a future where every child can see the world clearly. We look forward to sharing updates on the progress of the project.

Hillsborough County, Florida Government
Naya Young for District 5 City Council

12/31/2025

As we reflect on this year, we’re reminded that none of our work is possible without you.
Your year-end gift helps expand access to essential vision care, from screenings to research to training the next generation of sight-saving surgeons.

The countdown is on⏰… make your final impact of the year count!

✨ Donate today and be part of someone’s brighter future: https://lwvi.org/make-a-gift/

Thank you for standing with us and helping bring the gift of sight to those who need it most, .

12/29/2025

The holiday season is the perfect time to give back, and few gifts are as life-changing as the gift of sight. With only 2 days left to give in 2025, your donation can help change someone’s life in the year ahead.

For just $10, you can help provide a child with a pair of glasses or support the corneal tissue needed for a sight-restoring transplant.

Your generosity today can open a brighter, clearer future for someone tomorrow. ✨
🔗https://lwvi.org/make-a-gift/

Donate before year-end and help us give the gift of sight.