History of Mobile Screening Unit (MSU)
The Mobile Screening Unit, Inc. was established as a District project in 1984 under the leadership of DG Kay Izuka. Its origins go back to 1970 when a converted school bus called "The Eye Mobile" was operated in District 4-L1.
In 1971, Hollywood Lions Club President Lion Cliff Gill, and District Governor Don Banker, spearheaded a drive to raise funds to purchase the 4-L1 unit with donations of $1,000 each from Hollywood, Miracle Mile, West Torrance, North Torrance, and South Torrance Lions Clubs with other clubs in the district supporting the new project.
A 1984 34-foot Chevrolet RV was purchased for $65,000 with donations from district clubs and matching funds from LCIF. The unit served us well for 25 years, screening more than 60,000 residents throughout our communities for eye, hearing, and blood pressure deficiencies.
The officers and directors of MSU began collecting donations from various clubs in the district to purchase a new unit and raised $55,000. On September 1, 2008, with the assistance of Lion Dave Haden of West Torrance Lions Club and PDG Rudy Salvio (then the Vice District Governor) of L. A. Corregidor Lions Club, MSU submitted a grant request for matching funds from LCIF. LCIF approved the grant which gave us $110,000 to purchase a new unit. The unit is a 2009, 37-foot Airbus equipped with two entry doors, two roof air conditioners, a 16-ft flush mount awning, two electric steps, a backup camera, a generator, vinyl floors, and cherry wood cabinets. This is a unit we can be proud to display at any community event.
All clubs in District 4-L3, with the aid of their members, can provide free screening at various locations in their communities throughout the year.
Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world.
