Lions Clubs see a need for local optical care
By Pamela Dickman Loveland Reporter-Herald
Steven Elwell was 76 when he had his first eye exam. “I’d never had my eyes checked by a doctor,” said the Loveland resident. “I’d always used reading glasses.” But when he noticed new problems, his daughter got him in touch with the Loveland Lions Club, which helps residents who can’t afford eye care.
“The Lions Club fixed it up so I would get an exam, and they gave me a pair of glasses.” That exam, Elwell said, uncovered a cataract, for which he is scheduling further eye care. Elwell is one of 179 Loveland residents the Lions Club helped with eye exams in 2008, a 31.6 percent increase over 2007.
The biggest increase in requests for help occurred in the last six months of the year — a trend Allan Leach expects to continue into this year. “Maybe layoffs from jobs and things is one reason,” said Leach, who coordinates the eye care programs for the Loveland Lions Club. “I also think we’re getting the word out.”
Like Lions Clubs across the country, the Loveland group focuses most of its philanthropy and the bulk of its budget, about $10,000 per year, on eye care programs. Lions Club members earn money in a variety of ways, but the biggest moneymaker is a small train that runs through North Lake Park every summer. Each year, the train tallies 22,000 to 24,000 rides. Of the 75-cent ticket, 50 cents goes directly to the Lions to help community members. The two biggest ways the Lions Club helps are by providing exams and eye glasses for residents in need and making sure preschool children receive eye screenings.
If certain eye issues are caught early, they can be treated before they become a bigger problem, said Leach. That is why Lions volunteers visit every preschool in Loveland every year and offer a free vision screening to 2- to 5-year-old children. “We feel very fortunate that they do this service,” said Vicky Vinton, director of the Kids Harbor Sunshine House. “It’s a great service for our families.”
With a hand-held machine, Lions Club volunteers take a reading that measures for muscular problems. A pediatric ophthalmologist at The Children’s Hospital reads the results then sends them to the parents. The screening is quick and simple but can prevent future complications by alerting parents to eye issues early on. About 90 percent of the children’s readings come back normal, but not all.
“We have even found a cataract in a small child,” said Leach. Another child, he said, needed corrective surgery but is now doing fine, he said.
If residents meet the financial need qualifications, the Lions Club will pay for an eye exam and glasses. Dr. Ken Vanamerongen, who belongs to the Lions Club, performs the exams and sells the glasses at a discounted rate. “We try to keep our costs as low as possible so we can do more,” said Leach. The Lions’ goal, according to Leach, is to ensure that people who need eye care receive it.
Floyd Gonzales Sr. and his son, Floyd Gonzales Jr., both received exams and new glasses through the Lions Club.
Gonzales connected with the Lions through the Loveland Disabled Resources Center. “My son’s glasses broke, and I couldn’t afford to get him new glasses,” said Gonzales Sr. “I’m on disability, and I’m the only one with an income.” Both father and son, he said, received much-needed new prescription lenses and frames. “With the old glasses, I was starting to see fuzzy,” said Gonzales. “With the new prescription, it’s back to like it was before. “I really appreciate the Lions Club.”
