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TUPELO Vision is the mission for Lions Clubs in Tupelo and around Northeast Mississippi.

The clubs collect used glasses, conduct vision screenings and raise funds to help the needy with eye exams and glasses.

To be able to help people find a pair of glasses, they light up, said Jim Bush, president of the Tupelo Lions Club that meets at noon Tuesdays at New China Buffet. Its worth every minute of the time we put in.

The international civic club, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, traces its focus on vision issues back to Helen Keller.

She challenged them to be knights of the blind, said Terry Everett, who as district governor, represents the 54 Lions Clubs in the north half of Mississippi.

While the Lions Clubs are known for support of its All-State Band and disaster relief efforts, vision remains the heart of their efforts.

They stop us all the time to thank us for what we do, said Keith Gillespie, president of the Oxford Lions Club, which meets at noon Tuesdays at the University Club. We do whats good for the community.

To support the vision efforts, the local clubs host golf tournaments, sell pecans and cheese and collect change. Local optometrists and eye centers assist the Lions Clubs with discounted rates.

Weve had a good response from the community, said Gary Shaw, who is the current treasurer for the Tupelo Lions Club that meets at 5:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month at Lawndale Presbyterian.

The lunch Tupelo Lions Club averages about $8,000 a year on glasses and eye exams, averaging about 10 exams and glasses a month, said treasurer Lewis Touchstone. In 2016, the club was also able to help with three cataract surgeries and six sets of hearing aids

The smaller evening club in Tupelo covers about 10 pairs a year, Shaw said.

The Oxford club averages two or three pairs a month, Gillespie said.

For some, the access to an eye exam and glasses gives them back their livelihood.

Ive had calls from people who had to be out of work because of an accident. Their glasses were damaged in the accident but they had to have an eye exam to return to work, said Cheri Nipp, a member of the Tupelo Lions Club. No job for weeks and medical expenses creates a huge problem with paying for an eye exam and replacement glasses. Lions Club (came) to the rescue.

Theres room for more people to join the effort to help people see more clearly.

Were are looking for new members, Bush said.

For more information, contact Bush at (601) 672-1297, Shaw at (662) 871-6020 or Gillespie at (662) 832-1350.

Read more:
Clear vision: Lions keep sight on service in Northeast Mississippi - Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal

This entry was posted on May 6, 2017 at 1:45 am and is filed under Eye Sight & Vision. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |