Lion Debbie Hicks, Second Vice District Governor of Western North Carolina Lions, spoke to the Columbus club recently about the N.C. Lions Brighter Vision project.

Brighter Vision encompasses all the services Lions provide to their VIPs–visually impaired persons. The largest of these projects is 56-acre Camp Dogwood, located on Lake Norman, which is owned and operated by the NC Lions.

It has provided free vacations to thousands of their VIPs over the years. Brighter Visions also supports the yearly VIP Fishing Tournament, which brings enjoyment to hundreds of visually impaired participants.

Other services from Brighter Vision include matching funds that allow clubs to provide eye exams and eyeglass for those who would not otherwise be able to afford them; the Mobile Screening Unit which travels the state to offer free eye and hearing screenings; support and mobility canes for the visually impaired; education grants for children of the visually impaired; and eyeglass recycling with its gift of improved vision to thousands of individuals worldwide.

Whenever Lions raise money through fundraisers or donations, 100 percent of these funds go to their service projects.

All overhead, from Lions International down to the local clubs, is paid for by the Lions themselves. The Columbus Lions meet on the first and third Thursday evenings at Calvert’s

Restaurant in Columbus, and they encourage anyone interested in community service to visit with them.

For information, call Helen Trevathan at 828-894-7062.

– article submitted by Helen Trevathan