As I was anticipating the upcoming LIS Mission trip to Mexico City, Mexico it was fun to think of it as, what Paul Harvey would say, “the rest of the story!”  I have been involved as a Lion for nearly 7 years in the collection/sorting/cleaning of recycled eyeglasses but this would be my first time at actually giving them away on a Lions mission trip. Since returning home I have now discovered that the English language does not provide the proper words to describe this unique experience. I will do my best with what I have.

We as Lions know that Helen Keller challenged us to be “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.”  We fully understand as a Lion that we are knights of the blind, but it wasn’t until this mission trip that I appreciated the crusade portion of Keller’s challenge.  The definition of a crusade is; a vigorous concerted action to eliminate something. The LIS Clinic was simply put… just that.

The first thing that amazed me was the Doctors; Corina, Tania, Glenn and David.  They gave of their selves/time/talents and came willingly and wholeheartedly to serve in this crusade against darkness.  It was evident by their actions that they genuinely cared for and wanted the best for these patients that entered the clinic. Watching them interact with the patients was heartwarming to say the least. At the same time they also made sure each of us, the Lion technicians, feel we were a valuable part of this LIS Mission.  El Jefe, as we called him, John, was careful and caring in his training of the six of us; Lisa, Tom, Charlotte, Bob, Reta and me all first timers from Missouri. He along with Maricela were patient and eager to assist us any way possible.  Although we had just met the clinic worked smoothly!

The second thing that had my attention was how wonderfully we were treated by our fellow Lions of Mexico. From the moment we arrived in Mexico City they truly rolled out the red carpet and made us feel welcome and very much appreciated. Although language was somewhat of a barrier for some of us we had no problems understanding the fact that we were united in our efforts to serve at this clinic. The true essence of why we are Lions.

The next thing that impacted me was realizing first hand the great need we were filling and the individuals we were able to touch in a huge way through this LIS Mission.   Also, the gratitude of the people whose lives we had been able to improve.  One lady, Maria, said to me, “you are the angels I have been praying for!” Tears were streaming down both her cheeks…immediately mine were flowing too.  She hadn’t been able to see or to afford glasses. She walked into the clinic clinging to the arm of her daughter, she left walking beside her daughter smiling.  It was one of the most beautiful things.

Lastly, at the end of the LIS Mission we had a grand fiesta; the food was authentic and amazing. As certificates and gifts were exchanged ~ I realized I was changed.  I again cried, but they were not tears of sadness but of pride and a realization of the magnitude of what is being done through these Missions.  I think they were also tears of joy because I knew we, as Lions, had just experienced a grand crusade against darkness.  The team had participated in a vigorous concerted action to eliminate darkness for so many in Mexico City.

Mexico City LIS ~ A First Timers Perspective

As I was anticipating the upcoming LIS Mission trip to Mexico City, Mexico it was fun to think of it as, what Paul Harvey would say, “the rest of the story!”  I have been involved as a Lion for nearly 7 years in the collection/sorting/cleaning of recycled eyeglasses but this would be my first time at actually giving them away on a Lions mission trip. Since returning home I have now discovered that the English language does not provide the proper words to describe this unique experience. I will do my best with what I have.

We as Lions know that Helen Keller challenged us to be “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.”  We fully understand as a Lion that we are knights of the blind, but it wasn’t until this mission trip that I appreciated the crusade portion of Keller’s challenge.  The definition of a crusade is; a vigorous concerted action to eliminate something. The LIS Clinic was simply put… just that.

The first thing that amazed me was the Doctors; Corina, Tania, Glenn and David.  They gave of their selves/time/talents and came willingly and wholeheartedly to serve in this crusade against darkness.  It was evident by their actions that they genuinely cared for and wanted the best for these patients that entered the clinic. Watching them interact with the patients was heartwarming to say the least. At the same time they also made sure each of us, the Lion technicians, feel we were a valuable part of this LIS Mission.  El Jefe, as we called him, John, was careful and caring in his training of the six of us; Lisa, Tom, Charlotte, Bob, Reta and me all first timers from Missouri. He along with Maricela were patient and eager to assist us any way possible.  Although we had just met the clinic worked smoothly!

The second thing that had my attention was how wonderfully we were treated by our fellow Lions of Mexico. From the moment we arrived in Mexico City they truly rolled out the red carpet and made us feel welcome and very much appreciated. Although language was somewhat of a barrier for some of us we had no problems understanding the fact that we were united in our efforts to serve at this clinic. The true essence of why we are Lions.

The next thing that impacted me was realizing first hand the great need we were filling and the individuals we were able to touch in a huge way through this LIS Mission.   Also, the gratitude of the people whose lives we had been able to improve.  One lady, Maria, said to me, “you are the angels I have been praying for!” Tears were streaming down both her cheeks…immediately mine were flowing too.  She hadn’t been able to see or to afford glasses. She walked into the clinic clinging to the arm of her daughter, she left walking beside her daughter smiling.  It was one of the most beautiful things.

Lastly, at the end of the LIS Mission we had a grand fiesta; the food was authentic and amazing. As certificates and gifts were exchanged ~ I realized I was changed.  I again cried, but they were not tears of sadness but of pride and a realization of the magnitude of what is being done through these Missions.  I think they were also tears of joy because I knew we, as Lions, had just experienced a grand crusade against darkness.  The team had participated in a vigorous concerted action to eliminate darkness for so many in Mexico City.

Seeing “the rest of the story” by going on this LIS Mission trip was certainly a unique and fulfilling experience.   I would love to repeat it and highly recommend it! As I said from the beginning there are no words that could be put on a page that can truly describe what this experience is. I am sure it was the action part of what Helen Keller was challenging the Lions to do.  What a worthy crusade.

Lion Debbie Whittlesey

IPDG 26 M6

Seeing “the rest of the story” by going on this LIS Mission trip was certainly a unique and fulfilling experience.   I would love to repeat it and highly recommend it! As I said from the beginning there are no words that could be put on a page that can truly describe what this experience is. I am sure it was the action part of what Helen Keller was challenging the Lions to do.  What a worthy crusade.

Lion Debbie Whittlesey

IPDG 26 M6

OFFICERS:

President                      Khush Bodhan

1^st V.P.                           Chris Morris, PDG

2^nd V.P.                        Jim Ashcraft

Sec.                                 Jan Ahearn

Treas.                             Lee Gile

Asst. Treas.                 Patricia Casey Gillum, PDG

I.P.P.                             Ted Fichter

COO                                Dr. Bill Iannaccone, PID

Area Directors – 1 Year                                              Area Directors – 2 Year

Joe Hinton, PDG        

Diane Martin                                                                       John Lynch, PDG

Linda Griffin, PDG                                                             Marcia Newyear, PDG          

Patty Wilson                                                                        Larry Winkler (46)

Jamie Kilgore

 Directors at Large

Dr. John Demshar             Esther Lee, IPDG

Walter Griffin, PDG           Pat Casey-Gillum, PDG

Alba Orr                                Joe Pugliese, PDG

Joel Gomez, PCC                Jack Epperson, PDG  (46)

 Trustees:

Coy Moody VDG                   Don Ruble

Mike Overton                         Phillis Neitling

Verdie Thompson                 Ray Maglalang, PDG

Larry Hidalgo, PDG             Lillette Quesnoy

Wayne Hoffmeyer, PDG     Sergio Gonazlez

Jim Ashcraft                           Michael Mears (46)

Don Muckel  (46)                  Helen Marte

Alan King

Past Presidents

John Holland, PDG  (46)         Dr. Bill Iannaccone, PID

Hal Tavalero, PDG                  Bill Manley, PDG

Jack Hon, PDG (Deceased)     Evo Comoli, PDG (Deceased)

Gordon Wellman, PDG           Alba Orr

Ann Tognetti, PDG                  Frank Seidel, PDG

Pam Burdick, PDG                  Ted Fichter

 Directors Emeritus

Wayne Cannon –(mem),  Marilyn Green – (mem),    Billy Manley, PDG,   Frank Seidel, PDG

 One of the reasons that the audit was successful is that we do not issue a value on donated eyeglasses or equipment. Values of donations are the responsibility of the person making the donation. We merely thank them for their donation. That way if someone is overaggressive with their donation, the IRS tags them and not LIS. That policy just proved it’s worth!

2011 was another active and exciting year for Lions in Sight. We conducted ten successful mission trips to Mexico and continued to support our many permanent clinics in Mexico with fresh supplies of donated glasses. We also continued our collaboration with the Boy Scouts, joining them in the National Food Drive by having our appeal to donate used eyeglasses included in their door hanger. The door hangers were placed on one million homes in the greater Bay Area resulting in ten’s of thousands of good quality eyeglasses.

 Without a doubt the most notable accomplishment of2011 was the installation of two permanent clinics in the Philippines and in India. LIS, through the support of the San Francisco Bay Area Philippine- America Lions Clubs and the host Lions Clubs of Das Marinas, Cavite, Philippines, opened the first Lions in Sight permanent clinic in the Philippines. A team consisting of Lead Trainer Corina Van De Pol, Adrian Tatarakis, Maricela Robles, Dr. Bill Iannaconne, LIS 1^st Vice President Khush Bodhan and me left for Manila on November 16^th.  We were housed at the De La Salle University health Institute Medical Center in their guest house. The university provided an ideal location to provide the local Lions with the training required to run a successful clinic.

After two days in the classroom, we conducted two more days of a temporary clinic to provide practical, hands on training in the skills of selecting glasses and fitting patients with  their donated glasses from the supply of 100,000 donated pair of glasses that had been shipped over from the LIS warehouse. Dr. Van De Pol worked closely with local Optometrists on methods to efficiently provide a large number of patients with comprehensive eye exams. At the end of our clinic it was clear that it was in the excellent hands of the Cavaite Lions. We have already received reports of their accomplishments and progress.

 I would like to offer my heartfelt thanks to Dr. Augusto Velera (Dr. Jun) and to Lion Helen Marte. They approached us with their vision and desire to see a permanent clinic in Das Marinas. It would never have happened without their hard work, determination and efforts to raise the capital necessare to see this project to completion.

 On November 25^th our team boarded a plane in Manila and headed to Kolkuta, India to train Lions and open the 61^st Lions in Sight permanent clinic. We were met in the wee hours of the morning at the Kolkuta airport by Past International Director A.P. Singh, Lions and associates. The next four days resembled the program in the Philippines with training and a hands on clinic for the local Lions.

 The Kolkuta Lions Club owns a building that is ideal for a permanent clinic, located in an area of great need and a population that has need of their services. As in Das Marinas, the local Lions were very enthusiastic and extremely capable. They even hired Optometrists to work full time at the new clinic.

During the temporary clinic part of the training we conducted nearly 300 eye exams per day. By the end of the second day we were merely observers watching the new staff efficiently operate the clinic.

 The hospitality of Lion A.P. and the other local Lions was nothing short of incredible. PID Singh has very aggressive goals for the operation of the Kolkuta clinic which includes taking doctors, staff and equipment to other parts of the city to conduct temporary clinics, over and above the permanent clinic duties. That could result in thousands of eye exams and eyeglass distributions per month. I fear that the 100,000 pair of glasses we shipped them to start the clinic may not last very long. However, that is a problem we welcome.

Because we shipped nearly 400,000 of glasses out of our warehouse this year for permanent clinics alone, we need donations of glasses to restock our warehouse. Our stocks have not been this low since the warehouse fire ten years ago. I appeal to all Lions, Leo’s and volunteers to help us raise our stocks.

 LIS warehouse manager Walter Griffin has purchased several hundred new display/Collection boxes which are smaller than the previous version and more sutible for merchant countertops. If you contact Walter at the warehouse at 707-648-2306 we would be happy to get you together with attractive new boxes.

 Past District Governor Jack Epperson of Nevada has been working closely with COO Dr. Bill Iannaccone to successfully lobby the Nevada Prison Authority to allow LIS to begin a Blind Project in two Nevada Prisions. With the successful completion of the grant process we will have two more prison locations on board and be able to process more donated glasses for our temporary eye clinics. If you can supply us with eyeglasses, we can process them and put them to good use.

 Not all of our projects were a complete success. In August we had a team of twenty-eight doctors and technicians ready to fly to Belgrade, Serbia to conduct what would have been our largest temporary clinic to date. Days before take-off we were informed that the glasses we had shipped ahead has been seized by custom authorities. Efforts by many could not win the release of our glasses and the clinic had to be canceled. Many who were scheduled to go went ahead and enjoyed a vacation in Eastern Europe. By all reports it was a lovely place to visit.

 As always, we thank all of you who have given Lions in Sight your support in 2011 by volunteering, donations, eyeglass collection or to spread the word about our services. Without volunteers like you we could never realize the accomplishments we had throughout the year.

Ted

Like a lot of cities in the U.S., there are places to stay away from in Mexico. We are working with the local Lions to schedule clinics away from the border areas and states where there is conflict. Just as you would not walk through the Tenderloin District of San Francisco, or certain streets in Los Angeles, there are areas we do not want to go to in Mexico. The sad part about these changes is that the needy people in these areas will have to wait for glasses until after the areas are safe for us to travel there.

We will continue to work together with Lions on both sides of the border to continue the sight missions and help those who need glasses.

I just wanted to send a quick note to say thank you for sending us the
minus-powered glasses for our recent US Air Force mission to Suriname.
We were there from August 6th-20th with several medical specialists from
various specialties.

The optometry team consisted of one optometrist and one optometry tech.
We saw 931 optometry patients and gave away 705 pairs of glasses.
There were more myopic patients than I’d anticipated, so the minus-powered
glasses you sent were invaluable.

We were especially impressed with how well-organized they were.
What we appreciated most:
1. The glasses were tightly packed. Lots of glasses in a small box made
for very efficient shipping / handling.

2. There were no unusable glasses in the bunch. There were no beat-up
frames, and they were even stylish and modern. The high cylinder Rx’s
appeared to have been removed too, which is great since those are harder to
give away.

3. They were all in order of increasing powers. This made it easy to
quickly locate what we needed.

By far the best bunch of glasses I’ve received from any donor group.
Thank you again for your help. I know it was a last-minute request, but it
made a huge impact down there.

- Dr. Nate Anderson

Nathan Anderson, Maj, USAF, BSC
Optometry Flight Commander
Beale AFB, CA 95903
530-634-2592 / DSN: 368-2592

On June 16-19 a group of 4 doctors and 6 technicians conducted a clinic in Iguala, Mexico. Located approximately 2 1/2 hours south of Mexico City, Iguala and its forefathers are best known for designing the Mexican flag.The largest flag in Mexico — 50 meters x 26 meters (half the size of a football field) — flies above the city. We all flew into Mexico city and were transported to Iguala by the host Lions. Half of the group arrived early Wednesday afternoon and were taken to the clinic site to look things over and make plans for the next days clinic. We were then treated to an authentic Mexican lunch which was comprised of a soup (the name I think is pozole), chicharrones and of course the local cerveza.That evening our host club, which was just recently formed, was installed by the district governor in the garden area of our hotel. Our clinic was to be the club’s first official function. Unlike most of the clubs that host us this club was almost entirely comprised of Lions under the age of 50. The club president — who happens to be the mayor — was the eldest. The remainder of our group arrived late that evening.

The clinic setting was a park which belonged to Mexico’s health agency (DIF). Patients entered through one of the gates where a history was taken, followed by acuities, then folks seated under the trees prior to their being examined. Our dispensary was also outside near the trees under tents. We, of course, had to work in our little dark rooms in a building just adjacent to the dispensary and the waiting patients. The support we received from this new club was outstanding. They did all of the history taking, acuities and patient flow, allowing us to concentrate all of our efforts on examinations and dispensing. In all I believe there were 15 interpreters helping us at all times. With their help we were able to examine 920 patients over the two day clinic.

As with most clinics there is usually one patient who stands out as the reason for doing what we do. A young twelve year old boy was brought by his mother who told us that he was flunking out of school because he could not see. He was barely able to read the large E, 20/400 and could not read anything closeup. Dr. Mark Mclain found him to be very farsighted (+10). For those of you who have participated in a clinic you know how bad that is! This boy was so elated that he told the interpreter to tell Dr. Mclain that he had given him a new life. What a tear jerker!

On Friday evening we were taken to a silver mining city ~ 20 minutes from Iguala for dinner. The city of Tasco was one of the most beautiful cities I have seen and was definitely a highlight of the trip. We were treated to dinner on a hotel rooftop restaurant which looked directly across from the steeple of the largest church in the city. What a view! (You never quite know what gems you will discover on these trips.) On Saturday evening we were treated to a garden setting party where we were given both praise and gifts. We were entertained by a Mariachi band and treated to local Mexican cuisine to die for.

As is the case in all of the clinics I’ve been a part of over the years it’s hard to express my gratitude to the host club for treating us so well and supporting us in our passion to provide the gift of sight to so many deserving people.

12►

This is going to be a huge year for Lions in Sight and sending eyeglasses around the world. We have a major clinic trip scheduled for Serbia where we will have 14 doctors going for a week and taking 100,000 pair of glasses.

We also have a permanent clinic going in at De La Salle University outside of Manila in the Philippines. We are working on a second permanent clinic in India; this one would serve the needy of Kolkata. Each of those clinics takes a startup inventory of 100,000 pair of glasses. This is in addition to the eyeglasses we use every year in our mission trips to Mexico and Central America.

About a year ago we had a healthy supply of used glasses in our Vallejo warehouse. With the permanent clinic in Jamshedpur, India and our regular missions to Mexico we have gone through any extra glasses we might have had. If we are going to stock the Serbia trip, two permanent clinics and ten missions to Mexico and the Americas, we are going to need all of the glasses our local Lions Clubs can find.

If you can push a little at White Cane Days, or a local event, please do. If you have a box or two of glasses in your garage or storage area, please turn them in to your Lions in Sight representative. If you do not know who that is, please contact us and we will point you in the right direction. Contact our warehouse staff by email at warehouse@lionsinsight.org or by telephone at (707) 648-2306.