Clinton Lions Club approaches 85th year
The Clinton Lions Club is preparing to celebrate its 85th anniversary and is calling on community-minded individuals to join in its mission of service, particularly in support of sight-related causes.
Founded in July 1940, the Clinton Lions Club has a long history of helping individuals with vision needs.
Over the years, the club has provided Braille watches, prosthetic eyes, hundreds of eyeglasses, and even trained leader dogs and diabetic alert dogs for those in need.
“Our motto is, ‘We Serve,’ and we truly strive to live up to that,” the club stated in a release.
The international Lions Clubs organization was established in 1917 after a Chicago insurance agent urged local business leaders to give back to their communities. The organization adopted a mission to support the blind after Helen Keller addressed the Lions International Convention on June 30, 1925.
“I appeal to you, Lions — you who have your sight, you who have your hearing, you who are strong and brave and kind — will you not constitute yourselves Knights of the Blind in my crusade against darkness?” Keller asked.
In the 1990s, a statewide vision-screening program began in Tennessee and eventually grew into an international effort.
The Clinton Lions Club has been involved since its inception, screening children in Clinton and Anderson County schools, as well as in daycares and other facilities. All services are provided at little or no cost.
“We are looking for a few people who can volunteer some time to our fundraisers and projects,” the release said.
Those interested in joining the Clinton Lions Club can contact secretary Neal Vaughan at neallion@comcast.net.
