The Orcas Island Lions Club (OILC) champions the well-being of our community with a heartfelt focus on making vision and hearing care accessible to those in need, both older adults and children alike.

Scope & Services

Vision & Hearing Assistance
A foundational mission since the Club’s early days, OILC provides support for eye exams, glasses, cataract surgery, and hearing aids, ensuring that financial constraints don’t prevent anyone from seeing clearly or hearing fully. 

On-Island Delivery
The hearing program is delivered conveniently via the Orcas Senior Center. Monthly, Island Hearing Healthcare brings hearing tests, hearing-aid programming, cleanings, and free consultations (no cost for checks or adjustments).

For vision support, OILC helps arrange eye exams and provides corrective eyewear, making face-to-face care easily accessible right here at home. 

Community Impact

This program reflects the Lions’ global cause—Vision—which aims to prevent avoidable blindness and restore sight. Though part of the worldwide Lions mission, here on Orcas Island, it’s deeply personalized: whether for a school-age child struggling in class, a working adult, or a senior whose hearing or sight has become a challenge, OILC steps in to help. 

How It Works

1. Attend the Orcas Senior Center, ideally on the first Thursday of the month when hearing services through Island Hearing Healthcare arrive.
2. Request assistance — whether for a hearing exam, aid programming, or eye care, you’ll be guided through options and applications as needed.
3. Receive referrals or resources, often at low or no cost, tailored to your circumstances and available Club funding (vision services require a referral from OCRC).

Why It Matters

In a small, rural community, medical services like audiology and optical care can be difficult to access or afford. The Lions’ Vision & Hearing Program cuts through these barriers, empowering locals of all ages to stay connected, engaged, independent, and confident. It’s a hands-on expression of our motto:
“We Serve.”