ADRIAN — Nearly 100 years ago Helen Keller challenged the Lions Club to become “Knights of the Blind.”  Members of the Adrian Breakfast Lions Club honor that challenge along with the Lions motto, “We Serve.”  

Assisting in the purchase of eye exams, glasses, and visual aids is a main focus of the club. Their efforts were on display recently when a local resident, Mable Baty, needed help. Baty is in her 90s and has been diagnosed with a degenerative eye condition. She contacted Terry Hicks, the club’s president and vision assistance coordinator, about getting a device to help her magnify printed material so she could read.

The club had a used desktop video magnifying reader which they provided to her at no cost.  However, after several months the device stopped working and was too expensive to repair. A second used magnifier was located and delivered to Baty. It was old and, unfortunately, didn’t last too long either.

Luckily, the story doesn’t end there. The club is small, with only 12 members, and only has one fundraiser a year, a radio auction held every April. This year’s auction was very successful and provided the club with extra funds.  As a result, the club members decided to purchase a new desktop video magnifying reader for Baty to use. She reports that it helps her to stay more independent. 

Adrian Breakfast Lions Club members are currently seeking additional funding sources so they can provide expanded assistance to residents with vision problems.

A major program for the Lions is to help residents with vision care who cannot afford exams or eyeglasses.  They have partnered with local optometrists to get reduced costs for both. In addition, the club will help with some of the cost.  

Those seeking assistance need to contact the club and complete an application form before getting an exam. Community residents needing assistance with vision care can contact the club by sending a request to the Adrian Breakfast Lions Club, PO Box 412, Adrian, MI 49221, or by emailing [email protected].