Meg Smith Works With Lions and Helps Give Gift of Sight

What if people put their talents to work improving their communities? Melvin Jones, a 38-year-old Chicago business leader, asked that simple and world-changing question in 1917. Almost 100 years later, Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization, with 1.35 million members and more than 46,000 individual clubs around the world. The Lions are acting on the same simple idea: let's improve our communities!

Helen Keller developed a fever at 18 months of age that left her blind and deaf. With the help of her teacher, Anne Mansfield Sullivan of the Perkins School for the Blind, Helen learned sign language and Braille. A few years later, she learned to speak. As an adult she became a promoter for people with disabilities. In 1925, she attended the Lions Clubs International Convention and challenged Lions to become, "Knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness." Since then, The Lions Club has worked tirelessly to aid the blind and visually impaired.

Throughout the year, Lions collect used eyeglasses and deliver them to regional Lions Eyeglass Recycling Centers (LERCs). LERC volunteers clean, sort by prescription strength and package the glasses.  Most of the recycled glasses are distributed to people in need where they will have the greatest impact.

For children, clear vision means a better education, healthier development and a better quality of life. For adults, it means greater employment opportunity and economic strength. For seniors it means less dependence on others.

On behalf of Helen Keller and The Lions Club, Meg Smith and Associates Real Estate worked in conjunction with the Bay Shore Lions Club to create the, "Great Eyeglass Challenge." This challenge required the collection of as many eyeglasses as possible from the Little League Teams in our area. We collected over 240 pairs of glasses to be recycled for the people in our communities. We are still collecting!

We would like to give a special thanks to Frank Boulton and the Long Island Ducks for donating the opportunity for the winning team to take the field with the Ducks at the September 13^th game. Congratulations to the Lovegrove family, whose team donated the most amount of glasses.

In just about any dresser drawer there is a pair of eyeglasses that are no longer being used. That same pair of eyeglasses can change another person's life. If you have used eyeglasses you no longer need, you can donate at anytime at 249 West Main Street in Bay Shore; we are open everyday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Lions accept prescription and reading glasses, sunglasses and plastic and metal frames. Children's glasses are especially needed. Don’t miss your chance to provide your community with more opportunities to grow and thrive.