Published: January 25, 2008 01:00 pm      

Local Lions Clubs acting as ‘Knights of the Blind’

At the 1925 convention of Lions Clubs International, Helen Keller was the keynote speaker. At that time, she challenged the Lions to become “Knights of the Blind.”

As a result of that challenge, sight conservation has always been a major goal of all Lions Clubs. Here in San Marcos, the four Lions Clubs help to provide eyeglasses to school children and to adults who need assistance.

Another major goal is the collection of used eyeglasses. Members of the Bluebonnet Lions Club Eye Care Committee met recently for the purpose of sorting and packing used eyeglasses that have been collected in San Marcos during the past year.

The Lions Club groups in all packed 1,309 pairs of used eyeglasses that have been donated by members and businesses of the community. These glasses will be delivered to the Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center in Midland. Here they are classified and made ready to be sent to people who need them.

Most are sent to people living in Third World countries.

“This makes a tremendous difference in peoples’ lives,” member Ellie Stewart said. “ We thank those that have contributed the eyeglasses and ask that the people in San Marcos continue to place them in the containers provided at various locations.”