by Jim & Phyllis Wilkins
“In 1942, a group of Lions Club members from Memphis, with the cooperation of local ophthalmologists and hospitals, formed an organization whose sole purpose was to provide help to needy people in mid-America who had sight deficiencies. This group was known as the Mid-South Sight Conservation Association” (www.midsouthlions.org). The mission of the organization is to positively enhance the lives of the indigent sight or hearing impaired by providing light, sound and hope by opening avenues to costly medical care and assistance. The main service areas have expanded to include Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi and Tennessee, with the main clinic site being the Hamilton Eye Institute in Memphis and the hearing clinic located at Methodist Hospital there. Since 1942, the organization has not accepted government funding but instead relies on support and donations from Lions Clubs, individuals, businesses, foundations and corporations with donated time and services from doctors, medical professionals and facilities such as the ones in Rogers, Hot Springs and Mountain Home, Arkansas. To this day the organization provides all of its services at no charge to the patient. Participating Lions Clubs provide transportation and eyeglasses. The group’s motto of “A Miracle A Day” is evidenced by the miracle stories and patient “thank-yous” found on their website listed above.
Please join us at the Lions Den on Dave Creek Parkway on Tuesday’s for BINGO with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and the first game called at 6 p.m. Regular meetings of the Fairfield Bay Lions Club are the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. Meetings begin with dinner served at 5:30 p.m. followed by a short meeting and guest speaker at 6 p.m. Residents, visitors and visiting Lions Club members are always welcome. Tentative plans are for the Annual Christmas Party to be held on Saturday, November 15 (more information to follow) and no regular meeting on Thursday, November 13. Normal meetings will resume after the first of the year and will be published when dates are confirmed.