Community Corner
Area Lions announce 2013/14 Leadership
Lion Barbara Chuck, a five year member of the Nanuet Lions Club, will serve as District Governor, for the upcoming year. Lion Barbara, who suffers from retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative retinal disorder, is the first legally blind Lion to serve as District Governor in this area. Lion Dennis Hardy, a twelve year member of the Blauvelt Lions Club, and also former mayor of Piermont, NY , and Lion Steve DeName, a six year member of the Croton Lions Club, have been installed as First and Second Vice District Governors, respectively of Lions District 20 R 1, which represents Northern Westchester, Putnam, and Rockland Counties and currently supports 980 members who serve in 31 clubs.
“Lions Clubs are about helping the vision impaired and service to the less fortunate in their communities,” says District Governor Barbara. “This year, we want to renew our support of people with disabilities, and encourage club efforts that meet basic community needs.”
DG Barbara announced plans for a series of food drives throughout the year, as a way to help the less fortunate, and give Lions Clubs a way to present themselves in the community. District Lions Clubs completed a collection at Blauvelt Stop and Shop earlier this month -- they filled three SUV s with donations, which were given to Rockland area pantries. The Yorktown Lions Club is collecting donations at their summer concert series, and the Brewster Lions completed a food drive earlier this summer.
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She is asking each member club to establish a first responder Liaision – Lions ALERT -- Lions were present at the World Trade Center, the aftermath of the Newtown shooting, and the Hurricane Sandy storm damage. “We respond -- we are there alongside first responders, helping as needed --- we want to be out in front when circumstances present,” according to DG Barbara.
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Vision related initiatives will be another major part of the Lion Program in 2013/14, according to DG Barbara. Lions currently work with Guiding Eyes for the Blind in Yorktown, Vacation Camp for the Blind in New Hempstead, and run Project SEE – an amblyopic eye screening program for preschoolers -- throughout the tri county area.
DG Barbara wants the Lion District to have an increased role with diabetes awareness -- diabetes is the leading cause of blindness among working age adults -- and is planning events in conjunction with American Diabetes Association.
She is also calling upon clubs to involve themselves with retinal degenerative diseases. Lion Barbara, who is legally blind due to retinitis pigmentosa, says “ just because I cannot drive, that doesn’t stop me from getting around to protect the sight of the people around me.”
DG Barbara Chuck, First VDG Dennis Hardy, and Second VDG Steve DeName
Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with nearly 1.35 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in 206 countries and geographical areas around the world. Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world. For more information about Lions Clubs International, visit www.lionsclubs.org.
For more information on Lions Clubs, contact Carl Anderson, District Public Relations Co-Chair at LionCAA11@gmail.com .