The work of the Southington Lions Club is a discovery of new dimensions in community service. Some twenty volunteer members form the local chapter, one among 1.4 million volunteers operating in 200 countries. Their mission: To empower service to their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding.
Each year, the Lions provide 3 scholarships of $2,000 each to 3 high school seniors residing in Southington. They support Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Southington Music on the Green, YMCA, Relay for Life, Southington Community Services and Bread for Life among many other local charities. The Lions donated a $9,000 walk-in freezer to BFL for its new building. Their work in vision care is renowned: the collection and recycling of eye glasses for redistribution globally, the CT Lions Low Vision Center, Eye Research Fund and the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation of Hartford. Working with optometrists and SCS, the Lions provide glasses for those in Southington who need assistance.
“As you can see, vision care is a vital but small piece of our service.”, says Wayne Stanforth, who just received his 15-year service pin as a Lion. “My father was a member of the Lions so when a friend invited me to a meeting it was an easy yes. I think it’s important to be involved in a group that uses its time and talents to help others wherever we can.” Stanforth served as a member of the Southington Board of Finance for four years, now serves on the Fire Commission and is active in the Republican Town Committee. He’s a past board member of Community Aid Services, assistance to low income for business and personal tax and accounting assistance, and is a former Little League coach and volunteer in youth soccer.
Local Lions Club president, Paul Armor, helped me learn much more about the work of these brave Lions volunteers.
My most amazing discovery was the Southington Lions commitment to Vision Screening of children from age six months to six plus years in a national program named “Lions Kidsight USA”. Armor met me at the Southington YMCA Learning Center where Early Childhood Director, Kari Robarge indicated that the center currently has 120 three and four year-olds enrolled. We observed the Lions Club pediatric eye screenings. Seven to ten kids at a time are brought into a room for the screenings, seated in pre-arranged tiny chairs while waiting their turn. Each child is invited to come forward and sit in a single small chair placed about three feet from the Lions’ Welch Ally Spot Vision Screener, operated that day by Lions Treasurer, John Ausanka. There’s no physical contact with the child. No eye drops are administered and the screening takes just a few seconds.
An instant confidential printout of results is given to the parents through the Day Care Center. Parents of kids whose screening show a possible vision risk are referred to their pediatric eye professionals for examination and diagnosis. The screening process is only a preliminary indicator of possible issues. In 7 to 10% of nearly 4 million kids screened annually, risk factors are detected.
The vision camera is capable of screening for Astigmatism, Myopia, Hyperopia, Anisometropia, Strabismus, Amblyopia and Anisocoria. The service is free of charge under the Lions Eye Health Program administered by the Connecticut Lions Eye Research Foundation. In 2016, the Lions screened all Kindergarten students in Southington. Interested parents may contact their child care centers for more information or contact Paul Armor at 860-877-1265.
An instant confidential printout of results is given to the parents through the Day Care Center. Parents of kids whose screening show a possible vision risk are referred to their pediatric eye professionals for examination and diagnosis. The screening process is only a preliminary indicator of possible issues. In 7 to 10% of nearly 4 million kids screened annually, risk factors are detected.
The vision camera is capable of screening for Astigmatism, Myopia, Hyperopia, Anisometropia, Strabismus, Amblyopia and Anisocoria. The service is free of charge under the Lions Eye Health Program administered by the Connecticut Lions Eye Research Foundation. In 2016, the Lions screened all Kindergarten students in Southington. Interested parents may contact their child care centers for more information or contact Paul Armor at 860-877-1265.
What do members of the Lions Club have to say about their service? As a Quality Control professional of 25 years, Lion Bill Vagts was involved in the American Society for Quality. Finding he enjoyed organizational service, he began looking for an opportunity to contribute to the community. Now in his 14th year as a Lion, he has a quiet sense of personal reward in service and a deep sense of the importance of the Lions. Vagts has also been involved in Little League, Girls Soft Ball, Southington Soccer League and as an Assistant Scout Leader. “The Lions Club has been a major turning point in my life.” he said.
Learn much more about the Lions at their 26th Annual Charity Auction on Saturday, March 4th at Mary Our Queen Church Hall on Savage St. A Wine Tasting will be held at 6:15 pm as a preview to the Instant and Live Auctions to follow with a huge array of treasures available. A small fee is charged. Last year the auction raised about $8,000, all going to charitable services.
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