by Jim & Phyllis Wilkins
For nearly 100 years Lions have worked on projects designed to prevent blindness, restore eyesight and eye health and eye care for millions of people worldwide. Also, through our community projects Lions often support local youth programs and internationally through many programs such as the Peace Poster Contest, Youth Camps, and Exchange and Lions Quest.
Both of these efforts recently came together in an article by Wing-Kun Tam, Chairperson, Lions Clubs International Foundation concerning Lions involvement with Special Olympics. “Did you know that 33 percent of Special Olympic athletes cannot see well or are in need of different glasses, and six percent have serious untreated eye diseases? — it gave me great pride to to attend the Special Olympics Winter Games earlier this month in Korea, and witness the impact we are having through the Special Olympics Opening Eyes program.
Lions and LCIF are having an impact on the more than 300,000 athletes that have received vision screenings in more than 70 nations! Can you believe, nearly 100,000 of those screened needed corrective glasses? We are able to support Special Olympics and this initiative and so many more because we serve, we are everywhere and we care.” Lions involvement in such international programs, but even more important in local eyesight and youth programs are what make us proud to be Lions.
Upcoming events at the Lions Den include the Master Gardner’s Pancake Supper to be held on Saturday, March 2 beginning at 5 p.m. For tickets contact the Master Gardner’s Club and tickets will be available at the door.
On Monday, March 4 BINGO will resume with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. and the first game called at 7 p.m. Alzheimer’s Arkansas will have a Pancake Supper on Saturday, March 9. Group members are currently selling tickets for the event which will begin at 5 pm, if you have questions or need additional information regarding the dinner contact George Kelly @ 884-6476.
The next regular meeting of the Fairfield Bay Lions Club will be on Thursday, February 28 with dinner served at 5:30 p.m. (for reservations contact Lion Mary Meadows @ 884-6388) followed by our meeting at 6 p.m. with Doris Finley addressing the club on Identity Theft.