The Sanford Lions Club works hard all year on various projects raising funds to help the blind, sight and hearing impaired, and young people. Thursday night, July 23, members heard a first-hand account of the joy and excitement these projects bring to participants.
Helen Garrett of Sanford is legally blind. She visited the weekly club meeting and described the fun she recently had at the 2009 N.C. Lions VIP Fishing Tournament held annually at the Outer Banks. Over 500 sight-impaired citizens and volunteer helpers from across the state were hosted by Lions at Kill Devil Hills. Lee County alone sent a busload of excited guests eager to catch fish.
Garrett described how exhilarating it was to stand in the surf and feel the tug of the ocean currents as she competed for trophies and awards given out at a banquet. The guests were also treated to a barbecue dinner and fish fry during the three-day event. She thanked all Lions for providing this opportunity and especially for those who volunteered at the tournament with such duties as baiting hooks and handling the catches for participants. Garrett has also attended summer camp at the Lions’ Camp Dogwood on Lake Norman where the blind and sight-impaired enjoy many recreational activities.
“Although I’m legally blind, if not for that, I probably would never have had the opportunity to go to such places and I greatly appreciate it,” Garrett said.
She was accompanied to the meeting by Jamie Perkins, area social worker for North Carolina’s Services for the Blind. Perkins works closely with area Lions clubs to provide services to the needy and sight impaired. Often Lions will fund a need not covered by the state or the service club will direct someone who is qualified to Perkins for state assistance. Perkins said her agency’s goal is to help the sight impaired stay at home and as independent as possible and for as long as possible.
Many services that help the sight impaired are available through social services such as life skills classes, rehabilitation and jobs training and books on tape. Many assistance devices like white canes, communication aids, eye exams and glasses are provided often with the help of Lions resources, Perkins said.
In other business, Dr. Marvin Joyner reported that advertising sales for the upcoming Lee Regional Fair catalogue was successful although below figures from last year. The club’s marketing chairman thanked all members for their hard work and all business sponsors for supporting the club and fair even in these tough economic times.
President Richard Hendley presided while Bob Jasany delivered the invocation and was program chairman. Tommy Mann, Jr., led the Pledge of Allegiance and song leader John Byrd sang a spiritual entitled “I’m Standing on the Solid Rock.” The club also welcomed visitor Robert Douglas who was a guest of Jay Moore.
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