Tag Archives: blindness

Eye Donor Awareness Month

22 Thursday Mar 2018

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When you think about the month of March, several topics probably come to mind. YouNatl Eye Donor Month may think about the first day of spring, St. Patrick’s Day and the start of baseball season, but did you know that March is also Eye Donor Awareness Month?

In 1983, President Reagan established the first National Eye Donor Month as a way to recognize its donors, celebrate the recipients and bring awareness to eye donation.

Approximately ten million people around the world are affected with corneal diseases that have resulted in blindness or other visual impairments. Corneal transplants have become one of the most frequently performed transplant procedures. According to the National Eye Institute, doctors perform approximately 40,000 corneal transplants each year.

Have you ever considered becoming an eye donor? Regardless of whether you have thought about donating in the past, or this is the first time you’ve carefully considered the idea, here are a few areas of to note that may help you make your decision:

There is just no substitute for human corneal tissue. If you have considered becoming an eye donor, you can rest assured knowing that your donation can make a world of difference for someone in need. Just think your gift could help restore someone’s vision, support the advanced treatment of blindness or other vision impairments – and beyond.

To get started, be sure to discuss your wishes with your loved ones, and thank you for your precious gift.

Happy Eye Donor Awareness Month from Lions Pride

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A 2017 Thanksgiving Message from Lions Pride

23 Thursday Nov 2017

Posted by in Holidays, Lions Camp, Special Events

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Today is a day to give thanks. Thanksgiving is one of our favorites times of the year Pumpkinsbecause it allows us a chance to reflect on all of life’s blessings. In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, we had some time to think about all that we’re thankful for here at Lions Pride. In 2017, we’ve been able to help financially support the Wisconsin Lions Camp and all WLF projects, which resulted in opportunities to:

  • Send over 150 Wisconsin children to Lions Camp this summer where they were able to learn lifelong skills that will serve them well beyond their childhoods. Campers were able able to explore various outdoor activities, build lasting friendships and enjoy being kids in a fun, safe environment.
  • Collect eyeglasses that were recycled and shared with people in need from all around the world.
  • Screen the eyes of thousands of children from all around the state from ages 6 months to teenage. With early detection, we’re able to help preserve and protect a child’s gift of sight.
  • Provide local communities with diabetes education. As you likely already know, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in people aged 20 to 74, as well as a significant cause of other serious health complications. Our primary goal is to help reduce the number of blindness cases through education, early detection and treatment.

None of these accomplishments would be possible without the generous support of our donors. We would not be “Today’s help, tomorrow’s hope” without you. We are so thankful to have you support us in our mission. We never grow tired of saying “thank you.”

The Lions Pride office will be closed today and Friday to celebrate the holiday. We’d like to wish you and your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving!

 

Happy 60th Anniversary, Lions Camp!

18 Thursday Aug 2016

Posted by in Lions Camp, News, Special Events

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It’s #ThrowbackThursday here at Lions Pride and today 60th-Anniversarywe’re looking back to the year of 1959. It was a great year filled with lots of memorable events: Alaska become the 49th state of America, the Grammy Music Awards began and the Boeing 707 came into service, but our favorite event was the birth of the Wisconsin Lions Camp.

Just a few years earlier, a chance discussion started it all. Lion Ray Hempel was in a hospital visiting two blind 12-year old boys. The group was discussing outdoor activities, but when Lion Ray asked if they had ever been to camp, one responded with a statement that changed everything. He said, “Blind kids can’t go to outdoor camp and stuff like that.”

After the conversation, Lion Ray’s imagination ran wild with an idea for camp that would allow children with disabilities to enjoy all the wonders of nature. Seven years later, his dream became a reality, and the Wisconsin Lions Camp was opened.

This year marks the 60th of camp. During that time, over 70,000 campers walked and camped in these woods. Our campers have the chance to become more self-confident, gain social skills, develop a strong environmental awareness and have the week of a lifetime. (If only trees could talk, we’d love to hear about the daily adventures.)

To celebrate the 60th anniversary, the Wisconsin Lions Camp will be hosting an open house on Sunday, August 21, from 9 am to 3 pm. We invite you to join us for a camp tour at your leisure. You also have the opportunity to enjoy a pontoon or wagon ride. Food will be available for purchase from 11 am to 1 pm.

While you are touring the camp, be sure to stop by the Lions Pride office and visit with our Executive Director Geri Schlender. We look forward to celebrating with you and can’t wait to see what the next 60 years have in store!

Visit our website to find out how you can honor someone with a Ray Hempel Fellowship.

 

Deadline for Thrivent Choice® Dollars Soon Approaching

03 Thursday Mar 2016

Posted by in Fundraising, Giving Tips, Lions Camp, News

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LPEF LogoFinances seem to be on everyone’s mind this time of year. Every day, we get a little closer to April 15. If you have not already filed your 2015 taxes, you are probably busy getting all of your documents in order, to bring to your accountant but don’t let this important date distract you from other nearing deadlines such as one happening on March 31 for Thrivent Financial members. The last day of the month marks the end of the 2015 year to for members to direct their Choice Dollars to qualifying organizations.

If you aren’t already familiar with Thrivent Financial, they are a not-for-profit organization that helps Christians be wise with their money and live generously. In addition to offering life insurance, annuities and mutual funds, they offer several opportunities for their members to make a difference in their communities.

One such program is called Thrivent Choice® where eligible members are designated Choice Dollars that can be directed to enrolled organizations. Last year, 1699 churches and organizations in the South Wisconsin region received over $3.7 million in Choice Dollars charitable grant funds.

Of course, there is a deadline for any program, and this particular one is only 28 days away on March 31, 2016. If you have unused Thrivent Choice Dollars, we would be honored if you chose to support the Lions Pride Endowment Fund. Your Choice Dollars will help preserve, provide and protect all Wisconsin Lions Foundation projects. Our largest project, the Wisconsin Lions Camp, is dedicated to a week of summer fun for children who are blind or visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing, cognitively disabled and children with type I or type II diabetes. The goal of Lions Camp is to assist every child in the development of self-confidence, interdependence, social skills, outdoor recreational skills and environmental awareness, but most importantly to for the child to have a fun, memorable experience.

Thanks to the support of our donors, 140 children will benefit from the life altering experience one week at Lions Camp affords them. With your help, we can continue helping children with special needs have the experience of a lifetime.

Thrivent Choice

Now Accepting 2016 Campers

07 Thursday Jan 2016

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Wisconsin Lions Camp FunWelcome to 2016!

We are officially wrapping up the first week of the New Year. While many still may be thinking about New Year’s Resolutions, we’re dreaming of summer. Yes, believe it or not, we are already planning the 2016 camping season!

Since 1956, the Wisconsin Lions Camp has been providing kids with special needs from all of the state with the opportunity to spend a week away from home to experience the adventure of a lifetime. These children are able to build essential skills such as self-confidence, interdependence, outdoor recreation and environmental awareness by participating in fun, camp activities. And, the best part? The entire camping experience is free of charge to the families.

Lions Camp provides several weekly summer programs from the second week of June to the last week of August, including:

  • Blind and visually impaired
  • Deaf and hard of hearing
  • Cognitively disabled
  • Diabetes
  • Adult resort programs

Do you know someone who you feel would benefit from a trip to the Wisconsin Lions Camp? Additional program information and applications are available on the Wisconsin Lions Camp website. Remember that the earlier the application is sent, the better your chances into getting registered into your preferred session.

In 2015, donor directed donations to the Lions Pride Endowment Fund were able to provide 142 children the opportunity to enjoy a week at Wisconsin Lions Camp. We cannot wait to see what this year holds. To make your tax-deductible donation, please visit Lions Pride today and click on the Donate Now Button. With your help, we can work to preserve, protect and provide for the Wisconsin Lions Camp and other WLF projects. Lions Pride appreciates your continued support.

 

B2 Convention: Leader Dogs in Prison and Energizer Olsen

05 Thursday Nov 2015

Posted by in Conventions, Special Events

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Carl 'Energizer' OlsonWe’re on the road again! This week, Lions Pride will be heading to Green Bay for the 2015 B2 Convention. While we look forward to all of our conventions, we’re especially excited for this one. Our excitement is due to the all-star line-up of convention presenters.

This weekend’s topics will include blindness myths and realities, annual vision screening results and club management tips. We will also hear from a special guest, PDG Len Quinn, field representative for Leader Dogs for the Blind. Len will be discussing the “Leader Dog in Prison” program.

Before Leader Dogs become, well, Leader Dogs, they start out as puppies in need of socialization. To accomplish this important job, Leader Dogs for the Blind have found success by working with prisons. For approximately one year, inmates work to raise Future Leader Dogs by naming the puppy, housebreaking and basic obedience training. The program has been going on for nearly nine years and has seen outstanding results. We don’t want to spoil any more of the details so you’ll just need to hear it from Len this weekend.

On Saturday, get ready to get energized! The Luncheon Speaker is Carl “Energizer” Olson. Carl founded “Energizer Olson” in 1993 after a successful career in education and coaching. He is on a mission to empower his clients for success with motivation, attitude and current theory as well as humor. Energizing is his forte, so we are all in for a real treat.

We’ve got another weekend of fun ahead of us. Who else is excited for the B2 Convention? Lions Pride is looking forward to seeing you there!

1st Vice Governors Visit Leader Dogs for the Blind

06 Thursday Aug 2015

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Our 1st Vice Governors and their spouses are packing up and leaving town! StartingLeader Dog Puppy tomorrow, they will all take part in a summer visit to Leader Dogs for the Blind.

The mission for the Leader Dogs for the Blind is to empower people who are blind, visually impaired or deaf-blind with the skillset of independent travel for a lifetime. Leader Dogs and Lions Club International have a great working relationship. In fact, three Detriot-based Lions founded the organization back in 1939.

At the time of its inception, the organization was called the Lions Leader Dog Foundation. The foundation began with a small farm in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and a dream to make a difference. The first class graduated on October 8, 1939. It wasn’t long after incorporation that the Board of Directors requested that the word, “Lions” be removed from the name because they had not sanctioned official support of the organization. In June 1940, the organization officially became the “Leader Dog League for the Blind.”

For decades, the Lions Clubs have acted as the backbone of Leader Dog by providing financial support, introduced thousands of clients to the organization and serving on the Board of Trustees.

Each summer, first vice governors are invited to the Leader Dogs Campus to learn more about the services provided by the organization, visit with the trainers, see canines in action and hear more about their ongoing developments, including the Canine Development Center. A lot of information will be packed into one short week, but we know they will have a great time.

From all of us here at Lions Pride, we wish our first vice governors a safe and enjoyable trip to Leader Dogs in Rochester Hills. We can’t wait to hear your stories when you return.

Making a Difference & the Ray Hempel Fellowship

19 Thursday Feb 2015

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Lion Ray HempelWhat does it mean to make a difference? The dictionary definition says; it’s “having a significant effect on a person or the situation.” Many would say that making a difference is one of life’s biggest goals. So, is it is just us or is this phrase not getting the credit it deserves? We think that it’s meaning should read closer to “having a powerful impact on surrounding people and the environment.”

Ray Hempel was an outstanding individual who made a big difference in the Lions community and the world. In 1952, Lion Ray was in the hospital visiting two blind 12-year old boys. The group started talking about the great outdoors and Lion Ray asked if they ever attended camp. One of the boys responded with these famous words, “blind kids can’t go to outdoor camp and stuff like that.”

After the conversation, Lion Ray began imagining a camp that would provide an outdoor experience for blind children. He was an enthusiastic camper and Boy Scout Leader and thought everyone deserved to experience nature at its finest. In 1956, the Wisconsin Lions Camp was born. Since its development, the camp has touched the lives of thousands of children and adults with special needs.

Each and every day, Lions and Lionesses are making a difference in the lives of others, in their communities and the world. Do you know someone who goes above and beyond the call of duty? We encourage you to nominate that outstanding individual with the Ray Hempel Fellowship Award.

A Hempel Fellowship contribution of $1000 will be deposited into the permanent Lions Pride Endowment Fund, which helps support Lions Camp and other Wisconsin Lions Foundation state projects for both today and tomorrow.

Thank you for the difference that you are making every day!

National Braille Literacy Month

08 Thursday Jan 2015

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Part of Lions Camp Braille Library

Part of Lions Camp Braille Library

What is the first thought that comes to mind when you think about the month of January? You probably think about the New Year and resolutions, exercise, and healthy eating, but did you know that January is also is National Braille Literacy Month?

As you already know, Lions Pride is dedicated to preserving, protecting and providing for Lions Camp, which serves both children and adults with special needs, including blindness.

What you might not know is Lions Camp has a fairly large Braille Library for its campers to utilize. Denise Rocha from LPEF spoke with Jamie Jannusch, Lions Camp’s Assistant Camp Director this week. Jamie showed Denise the bookshelves full of Braille books including the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter series. “I was surprised by how big and thick the books were, it looks like it takes several volumes to make up even one book,” said Denise.

When asked who uses the books more, Jamie told Denise the books get much more use during the week we serve adult blind and visually impaired campers in comparison to the weeks we serve children.

In addition to the books, Denise told us she learned Lions Camp also has a Perkins

Perkins Brailler at Lions Camp

Perkins Brailler at Lions Camp

Brailler which is a machine similar to a typewriter, but instead of letters, it punches the Braille alphabet into the paper.

Now that you have learned all that, you can certainly understand why National Braille Literacy Month is near and dear to our hearts.

The Braille code has been around for quite some time. Louis Braille first developed the system at age 15 in 1824. It was introduced to the United States in 1869, but not adopted into the Standard English code until 1932. From that time until the early 1960s, many blind children were taught to read and write using Braille.

Unfortunately, after 1965, the literacy rate drastically declined. According to the American Printing House for the Blind, in 2014, there were 60,393 blind children. Of those students, only 8.5 percent (5,147 students) were Braille readers. The majority of those students were actually categorized as non-readers at 34.8 percent.

Many factors have contributed to the declining Braille literacy rate. The first was the passing of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. Thousands of children became enrolled in public schools rather than specialized school for the blind. The problem; however, is the fact that many of those schools cannot afford to hire or train Braille teachers. The second factor is the misconception that audio books and talking computers are a comparable substitute for Braille.

Success in life is dependent on literacy. Did you know that the unemployment rate is especially high for individuals who are blind at 70 percent? A point well worth mentioning; however, is the fact that 90 percent of blind people are Braille readers. Learn more about the Braille Literacy Crisis here in America and don’t be afraid to share the facts.

Thank you for reading this week’s Lions Pride Endowment Fund blog. For more information and fun, follow us on Facebook.

Help us continue to be “Today’s Help, Tomorrow’s Hope” for Wisconsin Lions Camp and all the WLF statewide projects by making a donation today.

Sources:

https://nfb.org/blindness-statistics

http://www1.lvib.org/2012/01/09/january-is-braille-literacy-month-2/

http://blog.ncpad.org/2012/01/20/15-facts-to-share-during-braille-literacy-month/

November is Diabetes Awareness Month

13 Thursday Nov 2014

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Lions for Diabetes AwarenessThere are many unique holidays in the month of November. It is known as National Model Railroad Month, Aviation History Month and even Peanut Butter Lovers Month, but did you know that it is also Diabetes Awareness Month?

According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, diabetes affects approximately 475,000 adults and 4500 children and adolescents throughout the state. People with diabetes are much more likely to suffer from blindness, kidney disease, heart disease, stroke, depression, amputations and many other complications. Although diabetes is a very serious disease, it is also very controllable.

Lions are doing a great job informing and educating the public about diabetes through numerous community programs, but we have a chance to make an extra impact throughout the month of November. Lions Club International has come up with a few ways for you and your club to bring diabetes to the forefront:

  • Organize a Strides event in your community – A Strides event is a highly visible, family-oriented activity that combines fun with exercise. Find out more about organizing one today.
  • Start planning a school or community garden – The snow may be flying, but it’s never too early to start thinking about spring gardening.
  • Create a support group for those affected with diabetes – A support group will give you a chance to educate and inform while creating a safe space for those suffering.
  • Invite a healthcare provider to speak at your club – The talk may turn into a great opportunity to brainstorm new ideas to reach your community.
  • Provide your local library with a diabetes magazine subscription – An affordable way to reach all curious library wanderers

To learn more about diabetes, read through this Diabetes Awareness and Action brochure and let’s continue to support the fight against diabetes!

Your gift to the Lions Pride Endowment Fund can be designated specifically for the WLF’s Diabetes Project ensuring funding in perpetuity.