11/07/2010
Beacon of Hope- "Sharing the Vision"
Sterling Lions Club- Sterling, Virginia
Home Town Day event with LensCrafters
Held on World Sight Day, October 14, 2010
This message describes the results of the annual Sterlings Lions Club's Home Town Day event, held at the Dulles Town Center.
The enclosed pictures are scenes from the event. The event represents the Club's second Beacon of Hope- "Sharing the Vision" Project, held on the same day as "World Sight Day", this past October 14, 2010.
Essentially, Home Town Day is a cooperative effort of Loudoun County Public Schools, LensCrafters, Dr. Unwalla's Office and the Sterling Lions Club to provide free eye exams and eyeglasses to elementary school students from many of the schools in the local area. These students are from families that meet the County's income limits in order to qualify for these services. Both the eye exams and the glasses are distributed during the same day of the event. The Lions assist in traffic flow of students between the various stages from eye exam, eye frame selection and receipt of glasses. In addition the Lions serve refreshments and provide moral support, entertainmant to the students and their families.
More than 70 students received free eye exams and glasses. The enclosed pictures are scenes from the event. However no pictures can
adequately capture the benefits many of the students and their parents experience when the students begin to wear their glasses.
In many cases the students are receiving their first pair of glasses. The resulting improvements in sight correspondingly translate into improvements of the students' quality of life such as improvements in school grades. This event is one of the most satisfying event to experience as a Lion. The Sterling Lions Club strongly feels that this event embodies what Lionism is all about and the mission of a vision project for Beacon of Hope.
Two of our recent members both husband and wife volunteered for the event, After the event they forwarded a message to other Club members stating, "The more we are acquainted with the Lion's Club work, we realize it was a great decision on our part to join [the Club].
The President of the Club also forwarded a message commending the efforts of the Club, particularly the efforts of Zone Chair Lion Todd Horting. Lion Todd went beyond the call of duty assisting one family in dire need during the event. One young girl was diagnosed with a serious eye problem by Dr. Unwalla. The Doctor made arrangements for her to visit an Ophthalmologist located near the Loudoun County Hospital. The young student received priority and her glasses were provided as soon as practical. The young girl's mother was present but did not speak English nor understood how to drive to the appropriate location. Lion Todd drove the young girl and her Mother to the Ophthalmologist. He stayed with them during the examination. The Ophthalmologist examined the young girl and also became alarmed at her sight condition. He referred her to the County Hospital for examination to determine the presence of brain tumors, etc. Lion Todd escorted the young girl and her Mother to the appropriate location in the Hospital. The young girl was administered several exams. The resulting tests apparently indicated no brain tumors but additional work is now underway to determine the cause of eye pressure the young girl is experiencing. Lion Todd expended over seven or more hours assisting this young girl and her Mother. After many hours, Lion Todd drove the young girl and her Mother to their car at Dulles Town Center. They were both indeed appreciative of the assistance from Lion Todd and the Sterling Lions Club as well as the other professionals at LensCrafters and Dr. Unwalla's Office.
If you have any questions concerning the results of the Sterling Lions Club Home Town Day event, please contact its President, Lion Ben Almond or Lion Mike Ryan ([email protected]).
See published artical in the Lion Reporter page 17.
