We Serve is the Lions motto. Here's what it means to the Albany & Troy Lions Club. (Note: The Lions year runs from July 1 - June 30)
You can help by donating to the Albany & Troy Lions Charitable Fund

Between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023, the Albany & Troy Lions Club:

  • Collected 16,090 used eyeglasses;
  • Provided eyeglasses to 4 kids, 4 teenagers and 2 adults, including two who needed special glasses;
  • Continued our ongoing development of the Lions Youth Blueberry Orchard on Clinton Ave;
  • Our Warm Woolen Wishes project distributed home-crocheted clothing (507 hats plus an additional 3 dozen scarves, hat/scarf sets, mittens, blankets, ear warmers & slippers) to Ronald McDonald House, Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club, St Catherine's Center, ERC Community Warehouse and other organizations that serve the needy.
  • Provided hearing aids to one 53-yr-old man, two 67-yr-old women and one 94-yr-old woman from Albany, Rensselaer and Guilderland;
  • Enabled a 64-yr-old immigrant to receive treatment for various conditions at the Lions Eye Institute;
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  • For NEWS10's Coats for Kids campaign, we picked up 447 coats at various dry-cleaners and delivered them to central distribution points in Albany and Rensselaer counties;
  • Donated to NABA, Ronald McDonald House, Lions Clubs International Foundation, Vanderheyden, St Catherine's

Between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022, the Albany & Troy Lions Club:

  • Collected 10,650 used eyeglasses;
  • Provided eyeglasses to 4 kids and 5 adults, including a 2-year-old girl who needed special glasses;
  • Participated in NABA's Low-Vision Tech Fair;
  • Continued our ongoing development of the Lions Youth Blueberry Orchard on Clinton Ave;
  • Our Warm Woolen Wishes project distributed home-crocheted clothing (939 hats, 13 scarves, 21 hat/scarf sets, 11 mittens, 10 blankets, 13 ear warmers & 2 slippers) to Albany Med, Ronald McDonald House, Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club, West Hill Refuge Center and other organizations that serve the needy.
  • Provided hearing aids to 6 women in their 70s and 80s from Colonie, Albany and Troy;
  • Enabled 3 senior citizens to receive treatment for various conditions at the Lions Eye Institute;
  • Distributed 1440 tubes of hand sanitizer to Troy Boys & Girls Club, Albany Boys & Girls Club, Unity House, Albany PAL and others.
  • For NEWS10's Coats for Kids campaign, we picked up 660 coats at various dry-cleaners and delivered them to central distribution points in Albany and Rensselaer counties;
  • Albany Leo Club distributed gifts from the Toys for Tots program to 85 children, including 20 from Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club;
  • Conducted a V.I.P. (Visually Impaired Pedalers) Tandem Bike Rides event;
  • Involved a Boy Scout troop from Colonie in our eyeglass recycling program;
  •  Donated to NABA, Sidewalk Warriors Troy, Lions Clubs International Foundation, MD20 Alert Foundation,

Between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021, the Albany & Troy Lions Club:

  • Collected 13,200 used eyeglasses;
  • Provided eyeglasses to 9 kids and 8 adults;
  • Provided hearing aids to a 90-yr-old woman from Colonie, a 64-yr-old man from Albany, and an 81-yr-old woman from Troy;
  • Utilizing two $15,000 Community Development Grants, we distributed 2000 face masks and 11,000 bottles of hand sanitizer in Albany's West Hill, Arbor Hill and South End neighborhoods;
  • Contributed funds in support of the West Hill Pandemic Produce Market and Sidewalk Warriors of Troy, both of which distribute free food;
  • Donated reading glasses at the Pandemic Produce Market and a Sidewalk Warriors event;
  • Helped a single mother with two daughters after they lost everything in a house fire;
  • Our Warm Woolen Wishes project has donated 72 hats and 30 pairs of gloves at the produce market and Sidewalk Warriors and about 120 extra-small hats for premature babies at Ronald McDonald House;
  • Our REACH committee shovelled out a wheelchair-bound vet;
  • We bought a portable magnifier for a legally-blind senior citizen so she can continue volunteering with her local first-graders;
  • Provided holiday gifts for a group home at Vanderheyden;
  • For NEWS10's Coats for Kids campaign, we picked up 592 coats at various dry-cleaners and delivered them to central distribution points in Albany and Rensselaer counties;
  • Donated to Lions Club International Foundation, NABA, Sight Society/Lions Eye Bank, Ronald McDonald House, Melodies Center at Albany Med, HOBY,

Between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020, the Albany & Troy Lions Club:

  • Collected 14,500 used eyeglasses;
  • Provided eyeglasses to 8 kids and 5 adults;
  • Recyled 13 used hearing aids through the Hearing Conservation Society;
  • Recycled 27 used cell phones through NABA;
  • Coordinated the district project to provide 2100 meals over a 5-week period to the critical workers at five area hospitals: St Peters, Albany Med, Albany Memorial, Samaritan and Ellis;
  • Planted a blueberry orchard;
  • Donated 100 bottles of hand sanitizer to the Albany Police Dept;
  • Helped the Lansingurgh Boys & Girls Club with their annual fund-raising mailing and with their chicken barbeque;
  • Purchased hearing aids for a 90-yr-old woman from Troy and a 61-yr-old man from Albany;
  • Helped feed the campers at Camp Abilities Saratoga;
  • Provided holiday gifts for a group home at Vanderheyden;
  • Contributed 38 Spanish books to help school children in El Salvador;
  • For NEWS10's Coats for Kids campaign, we picked up 387 coats at various dry-cleaners and delivered them to central distribution points in Albany and Rensselaer counties;
  • Donated to Lions Clubs International Foundation, Lions Camp Badger, NABA, Camp Abilities Saratoga, Lions Eye Foundation, Childhood Cancer Center, New York State & Bermuda Lions Foundation,

Between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019, the Albany & Troy Lions Club:

  • Collected 17,000 used eyeglasses;
  • Provided eyeglasses to 1 kid and 9 adults;
  • Recyled 254 used hearing aids through the Hearing Conservation Society;
  • Recycled 105 used cell phones through NABA;
  • Participated in NABA's Low-Vision Technology Fair;
  • Participated in a health fair for seniors at Albany Jewish Community Center;
  • Participated in two joint LCI/Anthem projects at the Regional Food Bank;
  • Provided eyeglasses for a number of needy children and adults;
  • Provided hearing aids for three seniors;
  • Helped the Lansingburgh Boys & Girls Club with their annual spaghetti dinner;
  • Provided holiday gifts for a family of 4 who share a home at Vanderheyden;
  • Helped a 12-year-old girl get needed surgery at the Lions Eye Institute;
  • For NEWS10's Coats for Kids campaign, we picked up 667 coats at various dry-cleaners and delivered them to central distribution points in Albany and Rensselaer counties;
  • Donated to Lions Clubs International Foundation, NYS & Bermuda Lions Foundation, Lions Eye Foundation, Brandel-Murphy Youth Foundation, Hearing Conservation Society, Lions Eye Bank, CampAbilities Saratoga, NABA, Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

Between July 1, 2017, and June 30, 2018, the Albany & Troy Lions Club:

  • Collected 14,000 used eyeglasses;
  • Provided eyeglasses for 9 children and 23 adults;
  • Recyled 150 used hearing aids through the Hearing Conservation Society;
  • Provided 2000 hearing-aid batteries to a school for the deaf;
  • Provided hearing aids to two seniors;
  • Contributed to a new playset for Brothers Park, a playground in Watervliet;
  • Helped send two kids to diabetes camp;
  • Recycled 152 used cell phones through NABA;
  • Sponsored 4 blood drives that collected enough to potentially save 240 lives;
  • Participated in NABA's Low-Vision Technology Fair;
  • Participated in Health Fair for Seniors at Albany Jewish Community Center;
  • Sponsored a H.S. sophomore in the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership program;
  • Provided holiday gifts for a family of 4 who share a home at Vanderheyden;
  • Contributed toiletries and other personal-care items to YWCA's Adopt-A-Family program
  • For NEWS10's Coats for Kids campaign, we picked up 642 coats at various dry-cleaners and delivered them to central distribution points in Albany and Rensselaer counties;
  • Donated to Lions Eye Foundation, Capital Roots, Lions Eye Bank, CampAbilities Saratoga.

Between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2017, the Albany & Troy Lions Club:

  • Collected 10,000 used eyeglasses
  • Collected 122 used hearing aids for the Hearing Conservation Society;
  • Provided eyeglasses for 10 children and 11 adults;
  • Sponsored 4 blood drives that collected enough to potentially save 384 lives;
  • Purchased hearing aids for a 64-year-old woman;
  • Participated in NABA's Low-Vision Technology Fair;
  • Participated in Health Fair for Seniors at Albany Jewish Community Center;
  • Provided holiday gifts for four teenagers who share a home at Vanderheyden;
  • Helped CEO with their backpacks for kids project;
  • Contributed clothing and toiletries to Sheridan Hollow Drop-In Center;
  • For NEWS10's Coats for Kids campaign, we picked up 680 coats at various dry-cleaners and delivered them to central distribution points in Albany and Rensselaer counties;
  • Sponsored a student in Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership program;
  • Donated to CEO, Hope House, Guiding Eyes for the Blind, NABA, LCIF, Camp Abilities Saratoga, Lions Eye Foundation, Regional Food Bank,

Between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2016, the Albany & Troy Lions Club:

  • Collected 13000 pairs of used eyeglasses;
  • Collected 106 used hearing aids for the Hearing Conservation Society;
  • Provided eyeglasses for 7 adults and 6 children;
  • Provided hearing aids for 2 needy senior citizens;
  • For NEWS10's Coats for Kids campaign, we picked up 477 coats at various dry-cleaners and delivered them to central distribution points in Albany and Rensselaer counties;
  • Helped NABA at 3 KidSight vision screenings, where 186 pre-schoolers were tested and 24 were flagged with potentially serious eye problems;
  • Contributed 88 used cell phones to NABA, where they are sorted by blind and legally blind individuals; some were refurbished and sold, and the rest were taken apart and recycled;
  • Provided funding to send an 8-year-old to Clara Barton Diabetes Camp;
  • Helped CEO with their backpacks for kids project;
  • Provided holiday gifts for four teenagers who share a home at Vanderheyden;
  • Sponsored 5 blood drives that collected enough to potentially save 567 lives;
  • Participated in NABA's Low-Vision Technology Fair;
  • Helped purchase an Intellikeys keyboard for a 3-year-old;
  • Provided toys for CEO's Christmas "store."
  • Donated to American Council of the Blind, Sight Society/Lions Eye Bank, NYS & Bermuda Lions Foundation, Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership, VISIONS, Lions Camp Badger, NABA, and LCIF.
Between July 1, 2014, and June 30, 2015, the Albany & Troy Lions Club:
  • Collected 18000 pairs of used eyeglasses;
  • Collected 149 used hearing aids for the Hearing Conservation Society;
  • Provided eyeglasses for 6 adults and 5 children;
  • Provided hearing aids for 3 needy senior citizens;
  • Helped an immigrant get cataract surgery at the Lions Eye Institute;
  • For NEWS10's Coats for Kids campaign, we picked up 430 coats at various dry-cleaners and delivered them to central distribution points in Albany and Rensselaer counties;
  • Sponsored 2 blood drives that collected enough to potentially save 87 lives;
  • Helped NABA at 3 KidSight vision screenings, where 103 pre-schoolers were tested and 10 were flagged with potentially serious eye problems;
  • Contributed 147 used cell phones to NABA, where they are sorted by blind and legally blind individuals; some were refurbished and sold, and the rest were taken apart and recycled;
  • Helped the Commission on Economic Opportunity (CEO) fill and distribute backpacks to elementary-schoolers;
  • Assisted CEO with their annual program to distribute toys and gifts to needy children at Christmas;
  • Participated in NABA's Low-Vision Technology Fair;
  • Purchased an Alertmaster for a Hearing Conservation Society loan-out center;
  • Donated personal-care items to Joseph's House;
  • Provided holiday gifts for four teenagers who share a home at Vanderheyden;
  • Purchased 15 copies of I See the World, a print+Braille children's book, for donation to area libraries and elementary schools;
  • Donated to NABA, Sight Society/Lions Eye Bank, Brandel-Murphy Youth Foundation, Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership, VISIONS, LCIF, NYS & Bermuda Lions Foundation,

Between July 1, 2013 and June 30, 2014 the Albany & Troy Lions Club:

  • Collected 11,300 pairs of used eyeglasses;
  • Collected 125 used hearing aids for the Hearing Conservation Society;
  • Provided eyeglasses for 16 adults and 5 children;
  • Held 4 work sessions at Regional Food bank;
  • Sponsored 3 blood drives that potentially saved 255 lives;
  • Helped NABA at 10 KidSight vision screenings; we tested a total of 436 pre-schoolers and flagged 24 with potentially serious eye problems;
  • For NEWS10's Coats for Kids campaign, we picked up 512 coats at various dry-cleaners and delivered them to central distribution points in Albany and Rensselaer counties;
  • Participated in NABA's Low-Vision Technology Fair;
  • Purchased special recreational items for a blind child with ALD, a terminal illness;
  • Helped with medical expenses for a gentleman with pigmentary glaucoma;
  • Provided holiday gifts for four developmentally disabled young men who share a home at Vanderheyden;
  • Provided David B. Klingaman Citizenship Awards (small stipends) to one graduating senior from each of 14 area high schools;
  • Sponsored a high-school sophomore to attend the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership seminar at RPI;
  • Contributed a number of personal-hygiene items to Joseph's House;
  • Donated to NABA, Sight Society/Lions Eye Bank, LCIF Hurricane Relief, VISIONS, Lions Camp Badger and St Paul's Center

Between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2013 the Albany & Troy Lions Club:

  • Collected 9500 pairs of used eyeglasses;
  • Collected 93 used hearing aids for the Hearing Conservation Society;Provided eyeglasses for 10 children and 11 adults;
  • Helped NABA at 7 KidSight vision screenings; we tested 246 pre-schoolers and flagged 16 with potentially serious eye problems;
  • Purchased hearing aids for an elderly woman;
  • Purchased a special hearing-aid dehumidifier for a 10-year-old girl;
  • Provided cataract surgery for a 37-year-old man at the Lions Eye Institute;
  • Provided surgery to treat a pterygium in a 35-year-old woman at the Lions Eye Institute;
  • Held 4 work sessions at the Regional Food Bank;
  • Worked on Fox23News's Coats for Kids program; transported over 250 coats from various dry-cleaners to a central distribution point;
  • Sponsored 3 blood drives;
  • Served dinner twice to approximately 50 residents of Joseph's House;
  • Purchased clothes and other holiday gifts for a family of four;
  • 7 Lions helped load 6000 pairs of used shoes that will be distributed in Appalachia;
  • Provided David B. Klingaman Citizenship Awards (small stipends) to one graduating senior from each of 14 area high schools;
  • Donated to NABA, Barton Center for Diabetes Education, Rensselaer County Sheriff's Office for educational material on child safety, LCIF for Sandy relief, Tech Valley High School's plant-a-tree program, Lions Camp Badger, Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership program,  Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

Between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2012 the Albany & Troy Lions Club:

  • Collected 13,000 pairs of used eyeglasses;

  • Provided eyeglasses for 6 children and 20 adults.

  • Held 4 work sessions at the Regional Food Bank.

  • Sponsored a blood drive in August that collected enough blood to help 111 people. One Lion donated blood, and eight Lions worked 45 man-hours

  • Sponsored a blood drive in December that collected enough blood to help 114 people. Two Lions donated blood, and seven Lions worked 44 man-hours.

  • Sponsored a blood drive in March that collected enough blood to help 63 people. Three Lions donated blood, and five Lions worked 40 man-hours.

  • Sponsored a blood drive in May that collected enough blood to help 90 people. Six Lions worked 40 man-hours.

  • Collected 223 used hearing aids for the Hearing Conservation Society;

  • Provided dinner for the residents of Joseph's House, a homeless shelter in Troy.

  • Provided hearing aids for an elderly resident of Troy.

  • Purchased holiday gifts for a family of four from Vanderheyden.

  • Five Lions helped load 9000 pairs of used shoes that will be distributed in Appalachia.

  • Provided a device that provides visual and vibratory signals so a deaf mother will know when her baby is crying.

  • Helped fund the replacement of a prosthetic eye for a student.

  • Participated in NABA's Low-Vision Technology Fair.

  • Provided stipends to one graduating senior from each of 14 area high schools.

  • Helped NABA at 3 KidSight vision screenings for pre-schoolers. We tested 57 kids and flagged 7 with potentially serious eye problems

  • Donated to Guiding Eyes for the Blind, Fight for Sight, NABA, American Council of the Blind, Schoharie County Flood Relief, Troy's Victorian Stroll, St Paul's Center, LCIF Measles Initiative, Lions Eye Bank, Sister Maureen Joyce Center, Joseph's House, Lions Camp Badger.

Between July 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011 the Albany & Troy Lions Club:

  • Collected 13,000 pairs of used eyeglasses and 173 used hearing aids. 

  • Provided eyeglasses for 47 children and 73 adults.

  • Held a School-Nurse Appreciation dinner at which we hosted 60 school nurses and provided an educational speaker.

  • Provided dinner for the residents of Joseph's House, a homeless shelter in Troy.

  • Conducted a vision and hearing screening at a local company. A Lions audiologist screened 24 employees and a Lions optometrist screened 20.

  • Sponsored a blood drive in December that collected enough blood to help 129 people. Two Lions donated blood, and 8 Lions worked 35 man-hours.

  • Five Lions helped load 9400 pairs of used shoes that will be distributed in Appalachia.

  • Held 3 work nights at the Regional Food Bank.

  • Sponsored a blood drive in August that collected enough blood to potentially save 234 lives. 7 Lions + 3 potential Lions worked 38 man-hours setting up appointments and at the drive; 2 Lions donated blood.

  • Helped with fund-raising for a Troy family that lost their home in a fire.

  • Spear-headed a district-wide drive to provide a posthumous Bronze Knight of the Blind award to Dr Tom Little.

  • Helped fund a 16-year-old deaf girl's attendance at a pre-college experience called "Explore Your Future."

  • Helped fund a hard-of-hearing 5th-grader's trip to a Lions Camp for the deaf in Brattleboro, VT.

  • Helped fund hearing aids for 4 people.

  • Provided scholarships to graduating senior from 14 area high schools.

  • Donated to Lions Clubs International Foundation; Sight Society of NENY (Lions Eye Bank); Regional Food Bank; Alight Care Center; Lions Eye Institute; Assoc for the Hearing Impaired; NABA; Visions Center on Blindness; Lions Hearing Conservation Society; ARC of Rens County; NYS & Bermuda Lions Foundation; Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership; Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

Between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010 the Albany & Troy Lions Club:

  • Collected 16,670 pairs of used eyeglasses and 85 used hearing aids. 

  • Provided eyeglasses for 34 children and 63 adults.

  • Presented the David B. Klingaman Citizenship Award (a small stipend) to 14 area high-school seniors

  • Donated funds to send two deaf 8th-grade girls on a special school trip.

  • Provided transportation for a student to attend training at Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester, MI.

  • Purchased hearing aids for two needy women.

  • Repaired a hearing aid for an elderly gentleman.

  • Participated in the "Shoes for the Shoeless" project that sent over 10,000 pairs of used shoes to Appalachia.

  • Provided funds to send a Rens County sophomore to the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership seminar.

  • Sponsored a blood drive in August that collected enough blood to help 174 hospital patients. 7 Lions worked 37 man-hours at the drive and 2 Lions donated blood.

  • Sponsored a blood drive in December that collected enough blood to help 138 hospital patients. 8 Lions worked 25 man-hours at the drive and 2 Lions donated blood.

  • Purchased clothes and food for a family of four during the holidays.

  • Contributed to a Troy family to help fund their sick child's visits to the Children's Hospital in Boston, and to another Troy family that lost their home in a fire.

  • Donated to the Sight Society/Lions Eye Bank; Guiding Eyes for the Blind; Capital District Chapter of the American Council of the Blind; NABA; Fabulous Friends with Flying Fingers (a youth group that sings and performs in sign language); Lions Clubs International Foundation; Camp Scully; Lions' Camp Badger; Alzheimer's Association; Visions Center for Blindness; Regional Food Bank.

Between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009, the Albany & Troy Lions Club:

  • Collected 9200 pairs of used eyeglasses and 135 used hearing aids. 

  • Provided eyeglasses for 34 children and 48 adults.

  • Totally or partially funded hearing aids for a 9-year-old boy and three senior citizens.

  • Purchased contact lenses for a 5-year-old with cataracts in both eyes and for a woman with special needs.

  • Purchased prescription safety glasses for an 8-year-old boy to protect his one good eye.

  • Provided funds to help offset the cost an elderly woman's follow-up care for glaucoma surgery. 

  • Provided funds to send a Troy High sophomore to the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership seminar.

  • Donated a TTY machine to a hard-of-hearing woman. 

  • Helped a woman pay for medical expenses for her guide dog.

  • Sponsored a low-vision educational seminar. 

  • Presented the David B. Klingaman Citizenship Award (a small stipend) to 14 area high-school seniors

  • Spear-headed a drive among several clubs to raise the funds to send a 15-year-old girl to Clara Barton Diabetes Camp for two weeks. 

  • Provided holiday gifts for a needy family of four.

  • Donated to Vacation Camp for the Blind; NABA's KidSight program; Troy's Ready-to-Learn program for kindergarteners; Lions Eye Bank; Ride for Diabetes; Lions' Hearing Conservation Society; Fidelco Guide Dogs; and Guiding Eyes for the Blind

  • Co-sponsored a blood drive that collected enough blood to save 87 lives.

  • Two A&T Lions worked on a Habitat for Humanity house in Albany as part of the National Day of service.

  • Four A&T Lions helped load shoes as part of the "Shoes for the Shoeless" campaign. 

Between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008, the Albany & Troy Lions Club:

  • Collected 14200 pairs of used eyeglasses and about 80 used hearing aids. 

  • Provided eyeglasses for 45 children and 18 adults.

  • Donated funds so that a blind girl could continue her piano lessons.

  • Purchased special glasses for 4-year-old twins.

  • Spear-headed a drive among several clubs to raise the funds to send  the family of an 11-year-old diabetic boy to Circle of Life Camp.

  • Contributed funds for an interpreter to accompany a deaf and blind 11th-grader on her school trip to Italy.

  • Purchased a flashing smoke detector for the family of a young deaf girl.

  • Provided holiday gifts for a needy family of four.

  • Presented small scholarships to  graduating seniors from 14 area high schools

  • Provided funds to send a Troy High sophomore to the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership seminar.

  • Held a dinner to honor the school nurses in our area. Guest speaker Dr John Simon, Chief of Pediatric Ophthalmology  at the Lions Eye Institute and Albany Medical Center, provided valuable information about eye problems that affect school children to the 70 nurses who attended.

  • Donated to Sight Society of NENY; Bike Ride for Diabetes; Lions Camp Badger; NABA