What We Do

This club supports many causes. Some of the projects and activities the club is involved with are:

Vision Screening in Austin ISD Elementary Schools

The club owns three handheld Spot Vision Checkers and visits all of the Austin ISD elementary schools to check all the  Pre-K students for vision problems such as myopia and astigmatism. During the 2024-2025 school year, the club tested 2,339 pre-K students for vision problems. 571 students (34.4%) failed their screenings and were given vouchers for free eye exams and prescription glasses from Lakeline Vision Source. The Lions Club, via its fundraising, paid $5,325 as of February 2025 for AISD Pre-K exams, prescriptions, and glasses. 

EyeGlasses Recycling

A year-round ongoing project is the collection of used eyeglasses. These glasses are processed and provided to overseas missions to help provide improved vision to people around the world. For more information and a list of local collection sites click here.

Vision Assistance for Indigent Adults

This club works with local agencies and groups to help adults with limited means to receive eye exams and eyeglasses.

Sportsmanship Awards

Every year for over 30 years this club has recognized local high school boys and girls athletic teams for their good sportsmanship.

Texas Lions Camp Work Day

In the spring of each year, members of this club and their friends strap on their tool belts and trek to the Texas Lions Camp in Kerrville. This summer camp provides a camping experience for physically disabled children and children with Type 1 diabetes. We spend a weekend with other Lions Clubs from all over Texas and spruce up the camp in preparation for the arrival of the campers.

To support these causes and activities the Austin Downtown Lions Club has three major fund raising events each year.

Willie Kocurek Memorial Golf Tournament

This event is held every spring at the Lions Municipal Golf Course.

Rose Day

In the fall the club sells boxed dozen roses and in one day delivers hundreds of boxes of roses to happy recipients throughout the Austin area.

Sporting Clay Shootout

In late spring shooters and sponsors sign up to bring their shotguns to a local gun range for a day of shooting at clay targets thrown from a course of stations. Prizes are awarded for various levels of achievement.