top-news-newspaperNews items here for clubs around the state will highlight fundraisers, activities, projects and personal announcements not published in bulk in out blog/news section. If you have an event, and wish for it to be placed on the page here, please email the webmaster.



Vision Screening Project A Success from Dallas Filipino Lions Clubs

dflc-visionThe Dallas Filipino Lions Club (DFLC) of District 2-X1 had initiated a free vision screening program for children 1-6 years old. After successful fund raising efforts initiated by Lion President Vinod Mathur in 2013, DFLC was able to purchase a non- invasive screening device called ‘SPOT’. The mission is to identify treatable eyesight problems and/or to prevent causes for blindness while the child is young. Getting children screened is important. Between 10-15{ea78abf6aefd82840c95631a2bee340185ca19eac03bdbe4a6b22bf7d31f458b} of children have some form of vision problem. Approximately 3-5{ea78abf6aefd82840c95631a2bee340185ca19eac03bdbe4a6b22bf7d31f458b} of preschool children have Amblyopia or what is commonly called ‘lazy eye’. If left untreated, this could result in serious eyesight problems up to and including blindness.

The device can assess a child’s vision with unmatched speed, accuracy and deliver immediate comprehensive results. It is powered by sophisticated infrared technology that quickly detects Near Sightedness (myopia), Far Sightedness (hyperopia), Blurred Vision (astigmatism), Amblyopia (lazy eye), Strabismus (eye misalignment) and more. Spot is accurate, portable, weighing over 2lbs and give results in seconds.

DFLC was the first and until recently the only club in the district to acquire this device and initiate the free vision screening program. This became DFLC signature project. The club launched the vision screening in late 2013, in several local preschools. With this initial success, the club now has formed an alliance with the Head Start schools of Dallas to do vision screening in all of their pre- schools in Dallas area. Children in these schools do not have access to eye health resources, and the parents normally do not have insurance coverage. So far, DFLC has done vision screenings for over 3000 pre- school children, and have identified about 15{ea78abf6aefd82840c95631a2bee340185ca19eac03bdbe4a6b22bf7d31f458b} of children screened have vision problems.

The purpose of the screenings is to notify the parents that our screening tests have indicated an abnormality and we recommend that the child be taken to an eye specialist for further evaluation or they have passed the screening test. They do this on a volunteer basis, free of charge. They are negotiating partnership with local eye clinics to provide an eye exam and give eye glasses for an affordable price of $10-$50 or free. DFLC feels blessed, they are able to identify vision problems in hundreds of pre-school children in Dallas, at a very early age and necessary steps taken. Healthy vision in children can contribute to improved school readiness, ability to learn, a child’s self- esteem and confidence. The goal is to give every child the opportunity to reach their full potential and not be held back because of vision problems.


Waco Women’s Lions Clubs Busy In the Community and Making Positive Impressions

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WWLC sisters Paula Bodnar (at left in yellow) and Janna Marusak (at right in yellow) served as Team Ambassadors for the girls’ softball team from Seguin during the recent Southwest Little League Regional Tournament held in Waco from July 27 to August 2. Lions Paula and Janna were on-hand to greet the team at the opening ceremonies, and to follow the team during their stay in Waco–offering advice on where to go and what to do while they were in town. The duo also enjoyed watching their Seguin girls play in the semi-final game on August 2. The girls didn’t take the championship, but they will advance to the Little League Softball World Series in Portland, Oregon very soon!

Three WWLC sisters enjoyed providing free vision screenings for 60+ children at a “Day in the Park” provided by Waco’s Family Abuse Center’s new HOPES Program. Waco Founder Lions generously opened Lions Park, Kiddieland and Putt Putt to offer a free day of train rides and amusement park fun for attendees and their families on Thursday, August 4.

WWLC’s Cindy Shafer, J.D. Herrera and Kim Giles provided screenings, along with two members of the Waco Founder Club.

Many of the children who attended very likely have an unstable home life, due to abuse issues. WWLC was honored to provide them with warm smiles, hugs and the reassurance that Lions care about each and every one of them.

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WWLC’s J.D. Herrera (far left, standing) helps Cristalyn fill out her vision screening consent form, as members of Waco Founder Lions look on.

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WWLC’s Cindy Shafer enjoys a light-hearted selfie moment with a beautiful young lady as she awaits her vision screening.



Several members of the Waco Women’s Lions Club donned hard hats and tool belts in May to assist Waco’s Habitat for Humanity and Lowe’s to helped build a new home for a lucky recipient in Waco–part of Lowe’s “Women-Built Home” initiative. Duties included painting, putting on siding, hanging fixtures on the interior/exterior and much more.

WWLC sisters really build relationships (and more)!

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WWLC’s Mary Needler (second from left) and Rose Moyer (center) show their construction side at the Habitat for Humanity home under construction in Waco

 

Two Waco Women’s Lions Club members were surprised and honored to receive Immediate Past International President Jitsuhiro Yamada’s Leadership Award ribbons at the District 2-X3 Convention held in April 2016 in Killeen.

WWLC’s Immediate Past President Janice Stone and WWLC President Kim Giles each received the special award from PID Mike Butler in recognition of their leadership for the club of 51 hard-working and dedicated women.

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(L to R) WWLC’s Janice Stone, PID Mike Butler, Kim Giles, Michelle Christian and Michelle Gustafson are all smiles after the presentation of awards at District 2-X3’s convention held in April.

 

Midland State Convention a Rousing Success Highlighted by Karen Taylor- Good

The recent State Convention in Midland brought in hundreds of Lions from all over the State of Texas to share in meetings and fellowship as the 99th year of Lionism came to an end. On hand were PIP Joe Preston, as well as singer/songwriter Karen Taylor-Good, who entertained with original songs written for the Lions. Pictures are shown below.

Karen Taylor Goode sings for a packed crowd at the Midland State Convention.

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Past International President Joe Preston shares the stage with Karen Taylor Goode at the Convention.


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Listen to Karen Taylor-Good’s 9-5 Song Dedicated to the Texas Lions

Wimberley  Mourns the Loss of A Member as Floods Rage In The Area

Wimberley, Blanco, San Marcos, Martindale as well as several other towns were hit hard by the Memorial Weekend Flood. Over 70 homes in  Hays county alone were totally washed away. At least 12 were confirmed dead including one Lions member from the Wimberley club.The Lions District 2-S3 did not disappoint; giving out gift cards, clothes, food and drinks.Wimberley experienced a life threatening flood on Memorial Day. Thanks to the many Lions Clubs, District and LCF that contributed funds  immediately. For our Lions that lost everything, this was a tremendous relief. Funds keep coming in and we will rebuild. Thanks to the many  Lions that volunteered to help with the cleanup. We have a long way to go. Sixteen of our Lions had flooded and/or destroyed homes. Please keep them in your prayers, it is a long road ahead for them. Wimberley is open for business, only homes/B&B’s along the Blanco were  damaged. Our community lost 14 lives, over 300 homes were washed away or totally destroyed, and over 1000 homes were damaged, some so severely, they will have to be torn down and rebuilt. Our own, Lion Larry Thomas, drowned in the flood while his wife hung onto a satellite dish on the roof for 6 hours.

Lions Give Out Scholarships to Worthy Students

The Wimberley Lions Club awarded eight deserving graduating high school seniors, from both Wimberley High and KAPS, with scholarships at the May 19th meeting. Scholarship Committee Chair Lion Bill Howe, and his committee members, Lions Richard and Lion Michael handed the scholarships out to the college-bound folks.

During the awards ceremony at Coppell High School on May 27, Stephanie Teffeteller received the annual four-year, $4000 college scholarship from the Coppell Lions. She becomes the 32nd recipient of the award dating back to 1985. Since that time the Coppell Club has given over $125,000 in scholarships to deserving, college-bound, high school seniors.  Stephanie will attend the University of Texas in the Fall and will pursue her degree in Nursing. In a separate ceremony, Arath Paneet, son of Eva Bustamante, received a one-year, $1000 scholarship to help in his pursuit of his college education. He hopes to be studying Biomedical Engineering at UTA. He will be the first in his family to go to college.

Austin Downtown Founders Announce Their Centennial Celebration

The Austin Downtown Founders Lions Club announced their plans for their Centennial Gala Celebration to be held on January 9, 2016. According to the Founders, “it is all about what it means to be the longest serving Lions Club in the world, and about doing it large for Lionism.” Plan now to attend and contact the Austin Club for more details.

Plano Early Lions Club Joins With Boys and Girls Clubs for “Recycle for Sight”

On Saturday, September 27, 2014, volunteers from the Plano Early Lions Club hosted the first part of a “Recycle for Sight” project for the Lions Club International’s Sharing the Vision and Engage our Youth campaign (The Centennial Service Challenge). The club joined the Boys & Girls Club-Keystone Club for this “Recycle for Sight” work session which was held at the Douglass Community Center.

As the first phase of this “Recycle for Sight” project, over 31 volunteers, including 16 teens and 15 Plano Early Lions gathered to clean, sanitize and sort by prescription over 1,500 recently donated eyeglasses. The Lions and the teens worked hard, had great fun and finished the task in less than 2 hours.