The Lions Club of Savannah is an all-volunteer organization whose members raise funds each year to purchase eyeglasses for those who live in Chatham County and cannot afford the cost of an eye exam or eyeglasses on their own. In order to be considered for this program, you must first fill out and submit an application.
**As of 1 March 2023 this service is temporarily suspended due to organizational restructuring at our service partners. We apologize for any inconvenience. Please do not email asking for updates as we have no control over this process. This message will be removed when the service starts again.**
An alternate avenue for assistance during this time is to contact The Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation. To apply for services please visit lionslighthouse.org/services/
Application Instructions
Answer all questions on both sides of the form.
Due to the volume of applications we receive, and the limited resources we have to process them, incomplete applications with not be processed.
All household members must be listed with their monthly income recorded on the form.
If you, or other household members, have no income, record -0- income. DO NOT leave income blank. We will not process your application if you leave this blank.
Tell us what you need.
If you do not have a current eyeglass prescription (obtained within the last 2 years), you will need an eye exam to obtain a prescription for new eyeglasses. Check the box for “Eye Exam & Prescription.”
If you have a current prescription (less than 2 years old), then tell us if you need “New Lenses in a New Frame,” “New Lenses in an Old Frame,” or “Old Lenses in a New Frame.”If you require “Bifocals,” we need to know that as well.
Applications that are incomplete will NOT be processed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take?
Your application will be processed at the beginning of the next month after it is received. For example: if your application was received in January, it will be processed during the first week in February.
If you are only requesting eye glasses, and you already have a current prescription (less than 2 years old) and no exam is required, you application will be processed in the same month that it is received, usually within a few days of receipt.
Please be patient, and do not call us unless your circumstances have changed, and you have new information to report. For example: you would need to report a change in income, a new address, a new telephone number, or if you have decided to withdraw your application.
Who provides the eye exam?
If you have the financial means (Medicaid, Medicare, private insurance, etc.) to pay for your exam, you may have your eyes professionally examine by whomever you choose that accepts your method of payment.
Ages 10 and up:
If you do not have the financial means to pay for an eye exam, we will refer you to the Georgia Eye Institute, and you will not be charged for the exam.
Ages 6–9:
If you do not have the financial means to pay for an eye exam, we will refer you to an appropriate eye care professional in the community who will donate their services.
Ages 5 and under:
It may be difficult, and take more time, to place a child who is age 5 or younger as we do not currently have an eye care professional who will take referrals from this age group.
Provider contact information will be provided to you when your application is approved.
What are my responsibilities?
Fill out your application completely, accurately, and honestly.
Do not leave any fields blank. Applications that are incomplete will not be processed.
You must keep eye exam appointments and arrive on time.
When we refer applicants to eye care professionals, they are donating their services to you. When you do not show up you waste the eye care professionals time and resources, as well as the opportunity for someone else to receive much needed services.
Once you obtain your prescription for eye glasses, go as soon as possible to order them from the eye glass provider we have identified for you in our approval notification letter.
We allow you 30 days. Due to the great need for glasses in our community, we cannot guarantee that we will hold funds for your eye glasses after the time has expired.
Report any changes in circumstance as soon as possible.
If your circumstances change, such as a change in income, you move, or your contact information changes, contact the Lions Club of Savannah immediately. If you fail to notify us of any changes in circumstance, including address/telephone changes, we may be unable to serve you or your family.
Where do I send my completed application?
Mail your application:
Tom Walsh
Lions Club of Savannah
Post Office Box 1598
Richmond Hill, GA 31324
Drop your application off at the Chatham County Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS):
Place your completed application in an envelope, address it to Tom Walsh—Lions Club of Savannah, and put it in the drop box outside of the front entrance of the building. Chatham County DFCS is located in Savannah at 716 Wheaton Street.
Fax your application:
Fax your completed application to (912) 352-9191.
What is the Lions Club of Savannah's contact information?
To report any changes in your circumstance, or to ask questions about our eye exam and eyeglasses application, please call (912) 354-4242 or email us.
Tom Walsh
Sight Conservation Chairman
Lions Club of Savannah
Post Office Box 1598
Richmond Hill, GA 31324