The most valuable gift that Lions can give to their blind and visually-impaired neighbors is the gift of greater independence.
And that is exactly the gift that the Lions in Multiple District 23, Connecticut gave. For their Centennial Legacy Project, they provided Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, Inc. in Bloomfield, Conn. with two new, fully apportioned and optioned vans for trainers and guide dogs. The foundation partners blind individuals with German Shepard guide dogs, free of charge.
“Connecticut Lions have been working closely with Fidelco since 1961,” explained Hilary Kumnick, Governor of District 23C. “Their trainers travel to clients’ homes to help them learn how to work with these fully-trained guide dogs, and Fidelco needs vans to transport the dogs and trainers. The organization’s 28 vans were rapidly aging, so we decided to supply them with a new one.”
The project was a multiple district initiative, with three clubs—Killingworth, New Haven and Woodbury Lions Clubs—donating US$10,000 each, and the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) providing a matching grant of US$30,000. Each club donated money for the van from funds they raised from various fundraising events.
Guide dogs help the blind navigate traffic, avoid obstacles, manage escalators and get on and off of subway trains. They are devoted to their owners’ safety and independence. Eight years ago, the Killingworth Lions Club raised US$27,000 to provide a guide dog to a client through Fidelco. “Our club is committed to the Lions’ mission of serving the blind, and we have been able to do this through Fidelco,” said club president Tom Keyes.
People are visually impaired for a number of reasons, Kumnick observed. “Some have lost their sight due to diseases or accidents. Some were born blind. Many guide dogs go to US veterans returning from war, where they’ve been blinded by IEDs (improvised explosive devices). No matter how they’ve lost their sight, they all want to live life to the fullest, and these wonderful dogs give them the freedom that most of us take for granted.”
The Lions celebrated their Legacy Project last year with a ceremony at the annual Fidelco Open House and Lions Appreciation Day. In February of this year, the New England Lions Advisory Board (NELAB), MD23 Council of Governors and several Lions past international directors officially presented the vans to Fidelco at the MD23 Mid-Winter Convention. The vans’ artwork recognizes LCIF and the three contributing clubs.
“We’re so pleased to provide these vans to Fidelco to help our blind neighbors enjoy more independence,” said Kumnick. “Our Lions clubs throughout Connecticut and all of New England feel that this partnership with Fidelco is a true manifestation of our vision as ‘The Leaders in Community and Humanitarian Service.’”
What will your Lions club legacy be? This is the last year to celebrate the Centennial with a Legacy Project, so start planning yours today!
