The Lions Clubs International Foundation has announced a new five-year, $7.8 million commitment to Special Olympics.

As part of a multiyear plan to support the inclusion and well-being of people with intellectual disabilities, the commitment from Lions Club International will support leadership opportunities for Special Olympics athletes, expand Special Olympics' health-related programs, fund outreach activities, and enable both organizations to reach more young people through inclusive sports and advocacy programs.

Since 2001, Lions Clubs International has provided grants totaling more than $15 million and deployed some twenty thousand volunteers in support of the Special Olympics-Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes vision screening program, which provides high-quality prescription eyeglasses to intellectually disabled athletes. The new partnership aims to expand the Opening Eyes model and create additional health and social impacts that empower individuals with intellectual disabilities, their families, and their communities.

"Lions Clubs International is honored to serve as a global partner of Special Olympics," said Lion Clubs International Foundation chair Tam Wing-kun. "For many years, we have worked side by side in the field of vision care for those with intellectual disabilities, and we are so excited to expand the scope of our collaboration to meet additional needs in our communities. This expanded global partnership provides an opportunity for our Lions and Leo members to engage in new service opportunities like hearing health, family support, inclusive sports, membership development, and much more."