Mother Teresa said that, at the end of life, we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made and how many great things we have done. We will be judged by our simple acts of kindness: “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.” Mother Teresa was a Catholic nun who devoted her life to serving the poor.
Members of the Las Vegas Twin Lakes Lions Club have embraced her mission with their recent Legacy Project.
In 1980, Salve Vargas Edelman, the club’s charter president, came to America from the Philippines. “I grew up hearing that we had to help those in our own backyard,” she recalled. “Today, I see poor people in our area who don’t have access to healthcare. And it’s sad because this is America! That’s why I chartered this Lions club. We made it our mission to support the Twin Lakes Community Clinic to help the underserved, marginalized and indigent people in our community.”
Her club went to work organizing various fundraising events for the renovation of a vacant building, which the City of Las Vegas approved to operate as a medical clinic. The Lions held a bowling tournament and a silent auction, and hosted a Disco Fever event and health fair as some of their fundraising activities.
The Las Vegas Twin Lakes Lions renovated the building by changing the flooring from old carpeting to wood flooring, painting the inside of the building and creating separate rooms for each service being provided, in accordance with city code requirements. They received donations of tables and chairs, filing cabinets, decorations, a fireplace screen and assorted medical supplies and equipment.
Last year, the clinic launched a soft opening which was attended by several government officials, business and religious leaders, the media, and of course, Lions and their families and friends.
Today, the clinic provides a variety of preventive health and wellness services, such as screenings for vision, diabetes and hypertension, as well as education, awareness and information about health issues.
“We wanted to help build a healthy community and make the lives of the people we serve better,” Edelman added. “We have left a lasting Lions legacy in our area, one that will impact generations to come.”
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!
