Maricopa Lions Club helps thousands of children see and hear.

It’s all part of the nonprofit organization’s mission.

“We did over 12,000 vision and hearing screens in 2023,” said Lions Club member Cherie Moss.

That includes students at all schools in Maricopa Unified School District, plus charter schools and preschools.

The club also provides hearing aids to needy kids. They will accept donations of hearing aids whether they are working or not.

“We just want them to see and hear,” she said. “We go wherever we’re needed.”

Mossing, a Province resident, said the vision screening at schools allow the club’s optometrists to make recommendations to parents to correct vision and hearing needs.

“If the parents have the insurance, that’s good,” she said. “If they don’t, we make sure they get a free pair of glasses or hearing aids.”

Arizona law requires that anyone in need and age 21 or younger is entitled to free glasses, she said.

The Lions Club receives grants through the state that help provide mobile units that can go to schools to provide screenings.

The club also collect donated glasses and sunglasses, the majority of which go to other countries, such as Vietnam, Mexico, Guatemala and the Philippines.

“We collect 15,000 to 20,000 pairs a year,” Mossing said, adding that covers the Maricopa and Casa Grande areas.

Donations of glasses and sunglasses can be made at Walmart, Ace Hardware, optometrist offices and other businesses in Maricopa.

Call Mossing at 602-828-6942 or Nancy Robbins at 614-565-5809.

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