CLUB MISSION
As part of the largest service organization in the world, Salisbury Lions Club empowers volunteers to serve, to provide vision services, and to meet the humanitarian needs of our community. To lead others to community service through example. Personally, I joined in memory of my grandfathers Irvin E. Faunce and Everett Dillard who were members back in Silver Spring MD. I will be accepting eyeglass donations and hearing aid donations at all group pick-ups starting in 2024.
SALISBURY LIONS CLUB HISTORY
Many thousands of dollars have been contributed for eye examination, glasses and cataract removable procedures. The Medical Eye Bank of Maryland has been supported with annual donations for over 30 years. Transportation to Wilmer Eye Clinic has been provided for many. Glaucoma clinics have been conducted, with thousands tested. Purchase of a bus for the Md. Workshop for the Blind (Now BISM) was enabled by Lions Club contributions. Drives were conducted to solicit eye donations to the Maryland Eye Bank. Titmus (Vision Testing) machines were donated to the Wicomico Board of Education, resulting in the testing of all students since c. 1970. Now Lions members screen students in most Wicomico schools with modern screeners. Hundreds have been tested, using the District Sight and Hearing Van including the most important Salisbury Eye Evaluation (SEE) study.
Many thousands of pairs of glasses, frames and lenses have been collected for the needy all over the world. Candy Sale Projects have been conducted for many years to benefit Wilmer Eye Clinic.
In 1980, an ocutone (used in eyesight restoration) was donated to Peninsula General Hospital ($13,290). In addition, over $20,000 has been donated to P.G.H. for equipment for eye work. Gifts have been made to the $4,000,000 endowment committed to the work of Lions Research Center of Wilmer Eye Institute.
Our history
BLIND ASSISTANCE
Many thousands of dollars have been contributed for eye examination, glasses and cataract removable procedures. The Medical Eye Bank of Maryland has been supported with annual donations for over 30 years. Transportation to Wilmer Eye Clinic has been provided for many. Glaucoma clinics have been conducted, with thousands tested. Purchase of a bus for the Md. Workshop for the Blind (Now BISM) was enabled by Lions Club contributions. Drives were conducted to solicit eye donations to the Maryland Eye Bank. Titmus (Vision Testing) machines were donated to the Wicomico Board of Education, resulting in the testing of all students since c. 1970. Now Lions members screen students in most Wicomico schools with modern screeners. Hundreds have been tested, using the District Sight and Hearing Van including the most important Salisbury Eye Evaluation (SEE) study.
Many thousands of pairs of glasses, frames and lenses have been collected for the needy all over the world. Candy Sale Projects have been conducted for many years to benefit Wilmer Eye Clinic.
In 1980, an ocutone (used in eyesight restoration) was donated to Peninsula General Hospital ($13,290). In addition, over $20,000 has been donated to P.G.H. for equipment for eye work. Gifts have been made to the $4,000,000 endowment committed to the work of Lions Research Center of Wilmer Eye Institute.
VISION SCREENING
Each school is different. At one school we are surrounded by utter cacophony as we perform the screening on the school stage, which does duty as both the cafeteria and the gymnasium, with the boisterous voices that either of those uses can yield. At another we are in a quiet conference room which is too small to hold the Lions along with a classroom of kindergarteners at one time. Perhaps we are in a temporary classroom borrowed from the art teacher, isolated from the main school building. Or we are in the nurse’s office, with a parade of young students complaining of various ailments. But one thing is constant. The children are wonderful. Some are shy, others are bold, and some quickly grasp what we ask of them, while some know very little English. They are eager to help out, to watch as their classmates are scanned. They don’t know quite why they are being scanned, but we do. We are hopefully discovering vision problems early enough that they can be treated. And that makes it all worthwhile.
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It is estimated that 5% to 10% of pre-school children have visual problems which, left untreated, can negatively impact their visual development and can lead to barriers to learning. The most common neurological vision problem with children is Amblyopia, also known as Lazy Eye. This is caused by reduced vision without any physical eye disease, which occurs when the brain does not properly process the images sensed by that eye. Another common problem is Strabismus, where the two eyes are not aligned. Finally there are problems associated with refractive errors, where an image is not focused on the retina properly, leading to farsightedness (hyperopia) or nearsightedness (myopia.) In many cases, the earlier the detection, the better chance of successful treatment. The screening machine used can help detect any of these issues, and it is quick and non-intrusive to the child.
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The machine we are using is quick, easy to use, non-threatening to the children, and effective. Since 2011 our club along with other clubs in the area such as the Salisbury Metro Lions Club and the Salisbury Heritage Lions Club, have screened over 2,500 children. Of those screened, we have recommended that over 300 of those children be referred to an eye care specialist. That provides the potential to improve 300 lives immeasurably, and that is what Lions Clubs are all about.
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EYEGLASS RECYCLING
Our club manages an eyeglass-recycling program that collects eyeglasses, reading glasses, frames, and sunglasses throughout Wicomico County. The collected glasses are cleaned and prepared for distribution to those in our community whose eye care is often unaffordable or inaccessible. In just about any dresser drawer, one can find a pair of eyeglasses that are no longer being used. That same pair of eyeglasses can change another person's life. Children's glasses are especially needed. Contact us if you want to help.
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HEARING AID RECYCLING
The need is great. The World Health Organization estimates that 360 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss. Yet, current annual production of hearing aids meets less than 10% of the global need. Children with hearing impairment can experience delays in the development of speech, language and cognitive skills. In adults, hearing impairment and deafness can make it difficult to obtain and keep employment. Hearing impaired children and adults are often socially stigmatized and isolated. SLC helps recycle hearing aids so they can be made available for individuals in our community with limited financial resources. Contact Us if you want to help.
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MY GRANDPARENTS LIONS CLUB HISTORY
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