Since 1988, Lions Clubs International and Give the Gift of Sight Foundation have partnered to collect used eyeglasses and deliver sight to the needy.
The San Felipe Amistad Lions Club would like to thank the community for supporting our Lions Recycle for Sight used eyeglasses collection program. Throughout the past few months, we collected 100 pairs of unwanted eyeglasses and sunglasses for those in need in developing countries. For the remainder of the month and September we will be collecting unwanted eyeglasses. Amistad Lions will end it with a city wide challenge to all businesses and citizens to collect unwanted eye glasses and drop of just in time for out Lions World Sight Day deadline. Says Claudia.
The donated specs have been sent to our regional eyeglass recycling center where they will be cleaned, sorted by prescription and prepared for distribution by Lions and other groups.
By taking the time to give us your glasses, you have helped to improve the life of someone in need. In most developing nations, eye care is either unaffordable or inaccessible. And for many, poor eyesight that is left uncorrected can lead to unemployment for adults and a child's inability to attend school.
The San Felipe Amistad Lions would also like to express our appreciation to the Health Mart Apothecary Pharmacy for contributing to the project's success by serving as convenient drop-off centers.
People who did not get the chance to donate their glasses but would still like to, all businesses wanting to sign up for the challenge or those interested in learning more about other San Felipe Amistad Lions Club activities, can call Club President - Claudia Lopez at 830-703-8373 or email sfalions@yahoo.com Thanks again for sharing our vision of helping others to see.


San Felipe Amistad LIONS JOIN GLOBAL CRUSADE TO CONQUER BLINDNESS

Lions World Sight Day Aims to Educate Millions Worldwide

The World Health Organization has estimated that the number of blind people in the world could double in the next 25 years. To combat the leading causes of blindness and assist in preserving vision, the San Felipe Amistad Lions is participating in Lions World Sight Day on October 11, 2007 to heighten awareness and education about sight preservation and preventable blindness.
The San Felipe Amistad Lions will be joining in this global event by sponsoring the biggest eye glass collection drive in Del Rio, Texas at Plaza Del Sol Mall on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at 7 pm.
“It is estimated that 40 million people around the world are blind,” said Claudia, President of the San Felipe Amistad Lions Club. “On Lions World Sight Day, the San Felipe Amistad Lions are working in unison with Lions clubs around the world to educate millions of people on the importance of proper eye health care.”
In the United States, approximately 750,000 people are blind and an additional 50,000 more will become blind each year, according to the National Federation of the Blind. Like most developed countries, glaucoma and diabetes are the leading causes of blindness in the United States.
On a worldwide scale, an estimated 75 percent of all blindness is found in Africa and Asia, according to the World Health Organization. In Africa, there are an estimated 500,000 new cases of cataracts each year, of which only one in ten is operated upon. In India, 80 percent of the blind suffer from cataracts, with more than 3.8 million new cases reported each year.

The San Felipe Amistad lions also provide free Eye Screenings and Hearing Screenings throughout the year. During the Feast of sharing the Free Mobile Eye Screening Unit will provide the community with free screenings.

Lions World Sight Day is a global vision initiative sponsored by Lions Clubs International and held annually on the second Thursday of October in an effort to raise awareness about sight-related issues. Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization, with 1.4 million members in more than 44,600 clubs in 189 countries and geographical areas. In addition to its efforts toward conquering blindness, the organization has also made a strong commitment to community service and helping youth throughout the world.

For more information on our Membership Drive call Claudia at 703-8373 or email sfalions@yahoo.com

HERVEY SIFUENTES

Zócalo | Del Rio

El Club de Leones de San Felipe Amistad, realizó la primera ceremonia de reconocimiento de los voluntarios, donde se hizo entrega de certificados a las reinas de belleza quienes están ofreciendo su ayuda para el beneficio de la comunidad.

Claudia López, quien fuera elegida como la nueva presidenta del Club de Leones de San Felipe Amistad, dio a conocer que anteriormente no se había hecho este tipo de ceremonia, pero se espera que sean más frecuentes para agradecer la ayuda voluntaria.

Durante años, las reinas de belleza de la localidad han estado participando en los eventos del Club de Leones, ofreciéndose como voluntarias para ayudar a la comunidad, tanto en venta de platillos o distribuir ayuda, pero anteriormente nunca se les había agradecido por el esfuerzo que hacen.

Este fin de semana Claudia López, al saber del esfuerzo que las jovencitas hacen durante todo el año, desde prepararse para obtener el título de reina de belleza, y después para cumplir con toda sus obligaciones en la escuela, sus hogares, también como reinas de belleza y después prestar su tiempo como voluntarias para ayudar a la comunidad, ahora realizó la primera ceremonia de reconocimiento de los esfuerzo de los voluntarios.

Los primeros reconocimiento fueron entregados a las reinas de belleza, quienes habrán de continuar ayudando a las integrantes del Club de Leones de San Felipe Amistad ya que tienen más eventos en puerta para ayudar a la población, especialmente a las familias de escasos recursos de ambos lados de la frontera, especialmente ahora en el regreso a clases para que todos los menores puedan iniciar el año escolar.