Waupaca County Post holds charity drive
By Robert Cloud
Lions Club International first focused on vision impairment in 1925 when Helen Keller encouraged the group to become advocates for the blind.
In Waupaca, Lions Club members hold vision screenings at area schools, collect eyeglasses and hearing aids, and help support the Wisconsin Lions Camp.
“The camp in Rosholt allows people with vision impairments to have a camping experience,” according to Rand Swenson, with the Waupaca Lions Club.
The camping experience is also available to children and adults who are hearing impaired and intellectually disabled, as well as children with diabetes.
Participants can swim and boat on Lions Lake, climb a tower, enjoy a campfire and create art.
“We hold vision screening at schools every other year,” Swenson said.
The Lions use a diagnostic camera that automatically focuses and takes an instant electronic-capture photo of the child’s eyes to determine the presence of six eye disorders.
“We print out a biometric report and give it to the parent or the school and they give it to the parent,” Swenson said. “They can take this report to an optometrist and hopefully get the kid glasses so they can do better in school.”
Chartered in 1925, Waupaca Lions currently has 42 members who raise funds for scholarships, the food pantry and other charitable causes.
The group meets twice monthly from September to June and is open to both men and women.
During the month of June, the Waupaca County Post and Buyers Guide will collect eyeglasses and hearing aids for Lions Club.
Drop off donations at the Waupaca County Post/MMC offices, 1990 Godfrey Drive, Waupaca, now through July 31.