News Vinton Lions host District Convention at IBSSS

District leaders presented awards; Vinton Lions received the highest Club Excellence Award for the 2013-14 year.

The keynote speaker was Lion International Director Karla Harris of Milwaukee. She spoke about her role in the Lions’ eye glass mission program.

Local member Julie Zimmer recalls one powerful story: 

 

"Karla talked about going to Mexico with a group from Wisconsin. The group took a small van to an isolated village. Driving in, she saw people lined up along the street and wondered what the event was. Turning each corner, the line went on and on. Many had come some distance, getting there in the wee small hours of the morning,  hoping for glasses. Inside the building the benches and bleachers were packed. She was assigned to fit used eyeglasses to people as they came to her station. The glasses were organized by prescription and the applicants were assessed before they were sent to the fitters. 

 

"She told a particularly moving story about an elderly Spanish-speaking man who arrived with the assistance of his 18-year-old grandson who spoke some English. The man bowed his head and put his fingers to his furrowed forehead, repeating what seemed to be a small prayer, each time she tried a pair of glasses on him. One, two, three pairs didn’t work, but each time he said his prayer before looking up and opening his eyes. Finally, pair number eight. He raised his face and opened his eyes and the furrows from squinting for many years actually fell away from his forehead.  After focusing for a minute or two, a smile broke out and he was thrilled and grateful to really see his grandson for the first time in his life.