Wheaton Lions Club

A woman in her mid-fifties was teaching English as a Second Language when the program through which she was working discontinued the program. She explored the career possibilities of library science and travel agent and then a friend suggested that she look into a grant being offered by a University for teaching the blind. She made inquiries and learned that with her Bachelor’s degree in English, a year of University classes and an internship, she could be qualified as a Rehabilitation Teacher for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

The grant would pay her tuition and she could commute from home. She went for it. Soon after classes began she was offered a work assignment, which involved reading to blind students and copying large print materials for those with severe visual impairments. This paid for her books and gas money for the commute.

Although she completed her university courses with honors, she ran into a snag when it came time to do the internship. Affiliations in her area were limited and there were no openings. Then she heard about a new low vision center within driving distance and took matters into her own hands. Armed with her resume and college transcript, she approached the executive director of the new center and asked him to consider letting her do an internship at his Center. This was a bit of a miracle. The Center needed a Rehab Teacher, but there was no money in the budget. A Rehab intern required no salary. Temporary though it might be, this opportunity was not to be ignored. Representatives from the university and the state were summoned to a meeting with the executive director and the dye was cast. She was in!

It was a good fit. The woman became passionate about the Center’s mission. The staff began to realize that she was willing to do anything needed to make the program work. When the internship was completed, she stayed on doing her work on a pro bono basis until the Board of Directors could meet and approve a budget that included a part time position for a rehab teacher.

Because of a scholarship grant, the woman taught hundreds of visually impaired persons to effectively use optical devices to maximize their existing vision and taught them alternative ways of doing everyday tasks that did not rely on vision. She gave talks to Lions Clubs, Retirement Communities, church groups, service clubs and school children. She even returned to the University as an adjunct professor to teach others how to become rehab teachers.

You know the people in this story. The Executive Director is Lion Tracy Williams. Lion George Newitt was on the Board of Directors that approved hiring the woman and I was the woman, Lion Dorothy Troyer.

This year was the 3rd Annual Night Walk for District 1J Lions includes Districts 1A, 1B and 1F. In the previous two Night Walks, Wheaton Lions were awarded plaques for collecting the most money and having the most walkers. It’s become both a tradition and a challenge. Funds raised help to deliver an increasing number of services to the one million men, women and children in Illinois who are hearing and vision impaired.

The Wheaton Lions Club Night Walk Committee of 10 Members were Lions Ruth Carlson, Jim Huck, Tony Ladd, Steve Lederman, Jim Mathieson, Joe Morrissey, Brad Pihl, Joel Riley, John Stock and Dorothy Troyer, Chairman. Two committee members are also new club members; Lions Steve and Brad.

Night Walk was held on Sunday, June 3rd at the Danada Equestrian Center. The “Walk” began at 7:30 pm.

Lion Jim Mathieson and his wife Gail hosted a picnic at their home for all Wheaton Lion participants before the event.


SightFirst II Campaign Campaign SightFirstII is a coordinated, global fund-raising effort involving all 1.35 million Lions in more than 45,000 clubs to raise $150 million for the SightFirst program. It is conducted by Lions Cubs, International Foundation, the grant-making arm of the International Association of Lions Clubs. The SightFirst Program Since 1990, Lions have done more to prevent blindness and restore sight than in their previous 65 years as "Knights of the Blind." In a decade and a half, Lions have prevented severe vision loss or restored sight to 27 million people-more than the combined populations of New York and Tokyo. How is this possible? SightFirst makes it possible! SightFirst's strategy of containing and eliminating the leading causes of blindness, creating sustainable eye-health systems, and training eye- care workers who will serve their communities for years to come, makes it extraordinarily effective and remarkably efficient. On average, just $6.00, can save one person from a life of darkness. SightFirst has touched the lives of tens of millions around the globe. Through SightFirst, Lions are changing the world-and the world now looks to Lions as leaders in the international effort to combat preventable blindness. Since 1990, SightFirst has.... • Prevented serious vision loss for 27 million. • Provided 80.5 million treatments for River Blindness • Awarded $193 million for 818 projects in 90 Countries • Restored sight to 7 million with Cataract • Improved eye-care services for hundreds of millions • Built or expanded 213 eye hospitals, clinics and wards. • Upgraded 325 eye centers with equipment • Trained 305,000 Ophthalmologists, Ophthalmic nurses, other professional eye- care workers and village health workers. • Launched world's first-ever initiative to combat childhood blindness in partnership with the World Health Organization. 30 Pediatric eye-care centers will be established. The Years of Campaign SightFirst II 2005-2006 The Year of Education and Preparation CSFII Launched at the International Convention in Hong Kong Model Clubs begin intensive fund raising. All Clubs conduct one additional fund-raising event for CSFII. 2006-2007 The Year of Inspiration and Motivation Prepared Clubs begin intensive fund-raising efforts 2007-2008 The Year of Participation and Celebration All remaining Clubs begin intensive fund raising. CSFII concludes at the International Convention in Bangkok. A word from our past president, Lion Joel Riley. . . Dear Lions, we have advised the Lions Clubs International Foundation of our firm dollar commitment from our club to the SightFirst II Campaign. Your Board has voted on how much the Wheaton Lions will pledge to this campaign for the next 5 years. The individual pledge forms you submitted provided guidance to the Board as to the appropriate Club pledge. We are asking each member to pledge $80.00 per year for a total of $400.00 payable over five years. Over half of our membership has completed the pledge forms. THANK YOU!!! Unfortunately this means that the other half will be receiving a follow-up call. In order to reduce the number of calls we will be making, please email, mail, or hand me a pledge form so I can check your name off the list. For a copy of the Pledge Form, download here. For more Information on SIGHTFIRSTII visit: http://www.lions-csfii.org/live/content/index.shtml For information about River Blindness, visit: http://www.cartercenter.org/health/river_blindness/index.html

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED TO WHEATON STUDENTS WHEATON LIONS CHARITIES CONFERS COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP FOR QUALIFIED VISUAL AND/OR HEARING IMPAIRED HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES Our 84th Year Helping the Wheaton Visually and Hearing Impaired Community WHEATON, IL (July 31,2007) Wheaton Lions Charities, Ltd., and the Wheaton Lions Club has again awarded a scholarship to qualifying high school seniors residing within the boundaries of School District 200 who are challenged by visual or hearing related conditions, including type 1 diabetes. The scholarship money is to be used toward college, technical school or similar educational program to enhance a career of their choice. This year the Wheaton Lions Club has awarded a $3,000 scholarship to Victoria Klopf a graduate of Wheaton/Warrenville South High School. Victoria is attending Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. Student Victoria Klopf, center, received her LIONS scholarship award during the regular meeting July 31, 2007. From the left, Victoria's mother, Gail; Wheaton Lion President Dr. Terri Lightbody, audiologist; and Lion Bill Davis, Scholarship director. The Wheaton LIONS have long maintained their LIONS Eye Care Program within the community, working with local schools and local eye physicians, for the purpose of screening needy individuals, especially children, who have visual impairments. This program includes eye exams, glasses and other apparatus like magnification devices. The Wheaton LIONS also strongly support the Deicke Center for Visual Rehabilitation. Funding for these and other causes come primarily from the annual Nite Walk in June, Candy Day collections in October, a golf and steak fry each summer and a Christmas auction. The local Wheaton LIONS Club began its charter on October 23, 1923. Our President this year is Dr. Terri Lightbody, registered audiologist. Individuals interested in joining the Lions Club may obtain further information from Membership Chairman, Jim Ellingson or calling 630-665-9471. Prospective members are invited to attend our weekly luncheon meetings held on Tuesdays at Noon to 1:00PM in the Masonic Building, 120 W. Wesley, Wheaton, IL 60187.
Wheaton Lions Scholarship Past Winners
YEAR	STUDENT-SCHOOL	AWARD
2001	Michelle Conway-College of DuPage	$1,500
2002	Kara Donndelinger - Columbia International University Jennifer Maier - College of DuPage Katherine Kelly - Illinois Wesleyan University	$1,500 $750 $750
2003	Michelle McIntyre - College of DuPage Benjamin Hoffmeier - Centre College	$1,500 $1,500
2004	Somoch Huy - College of DuPage	$1,500
2005	Jock Lezon - College of DuPage Michael Mallek - Cooking & Hospitality Institute of Chicago	$1,500 $1,500
2006	Owen Finnegan - Judson College Victoria Klopf - Illinois State University	$1,500 $1,500
2007	Victoria Klopf - Illinois State University	$3,000