A new initiative for the Greater Pine Island Lions

Nov 12, 2014 3 min read

To the editor:

We are trying something new that we heard about – A Card Draw. This will support our efforts on Greater Pine Island to provide eye exams, glasses and surgeries when needed by residents who cannot afford them.

So far this year (2014) we have spent $4,660.00 on eye services – this is not counting the amounts donated by the doctors who agree to help us with our residents.

I am concerned about all children and older adults who get neglected because they do not have enough money after paying their bills (some of them, at least) to take care of their own health and that of their children. Just this week I helped a family get eye exam and glasses for their child who was born with eye defects and now will try to get him connected to the services he should have had all along to provide his eye care.

We have no way of knowing about these children unless the families contact us. A few years back someone told me about a child at the PI Elementary who needed eye care.

While I was at the school checking on another student who needed assistance, I asked about the other child. After looking at his reports, I knew (and I am not a doctor) that this child had something wrong with his eyes that needed immediate attention.

I called someone I had met in Lions who was heading up a clinic in Bonita Springs (which has now become the Bonita Springs Lions Eye Clinic “Dedicated to providing free eye care for needy adults and children in SW Florida.”

I no longer need to search for help it just takes longer. This little boy had pediatric glaucoma. After being confirmed by another doctor that this was a correct diagnosis, he was started on strong eye drops and after one year he had no sign of glaucoma. We caught it in time. He is now being followed by a local Cape Coral doctor. He still has problems but the school and the doctor worked together to get services in the classroom that helped him in his school work.

Thanks to everyone who gives when you see our “Lions Logo” and hopefully you will reach deep in your pockets and help us with this new project. Draw a playing card from a deck for $5 each (you can draw more than one). The card will be cut in half, you will have your name and phone put on one half for the drawing, the other half you keep as proof of purchase.

The drawing will be made after the Dec. 13 Fisher’s of Men Lutheran Church Craft Fair at the GPI Lions booth at 1 p.m. You do not have to be there to win. Just be sure the phone number is correct that you give us to write on the half card for the drawing.

Cards will be available at other locations, or you can call, 238-9761 (Mary) or 239-851-3717 (Bernadette).

These services would not be available on GPI without your help with the GPI Lions Fundraisers. Thanks to each one of you for your help.

Mary M. Von Burg

Lions President