The Lions Building for the Blind (LBFTB)

Lions in Support of LBFTB and the BVIC
Lions in Support of LBFTB and the BVIC

Several Lions clubs on the Monterey Peninsula raised funds and purchased the buildings at 225 Laurel Ave, Pacific Grove, from the Odd Fellows Club in 1972. We paid off the mortgage over a 10-year period.

The Monterey Old Capitol Lions Club was the lead club under the direction of Rev Elmer Roy, a Monterey Old Capitol Lions Club member. Rev Roy had been involved with a similar Blind Center in southern California. At the same time, a group of blind and visually impaired people formed what has become the Blind & Visually Impaired Center of Monterey County. (BVIC). Both BVIC and LBFTB are 501(c)(3) charitable organizations.

LBFTB has a board of directors consisting of seven local Lions members. The board raises funds to maintain the buildings and pay taxes and insurance. LBFTB leases the facilities to the BVIC for $1.00 per year.