Community

ASSISTANCE TO SANTA'S HELPERS
Beginning in 1998, the Club made wood toys (300-500 toys) for needy kids. The toys were distributed through the local Santa's Helpers Project. Lion Bob Bohannon (deceased) initially started the toys project in 1998. Lion Gary Henry picked the project in 2004 when Lion Bob Bohannon moved. Starting with Christmas 2007, instead of the wood toys, the Club opted to donate $250 to Santa's Helpers and help them fill the back packs that were given to the kids.

COLLECTION OF USED EYE GLASSES FOR RECYCLING
Since 1969, the Club has collected used eye glasses via collection boxes placed at various locations in Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs. Every two months, the boxes are emptied and glasses collected and boxed up. The boxes of glasses are handed off at MD40 Council Meetings to PDG Ernest London who transports all of the collected glasses for NM to the recycling plant in Texas. The Club collects 1000-1500 pairs of used eye glasses annually. Lion Chris McCool is currently Chairperson of the committee responsible for collecting the glasses.

VISION ASSISTANCE
A signature project in which the Club sponsors needy folks for an eye exam and glasses. The Vision Assistance Committee reviews individual requests to determine the person is eligible for our support. Once approved, an appointment is made for the person with a local ophthalmologist. In some cases, the ophthalmologist (as well as the provider of the glasses) will charge the Club at a reduced rate. Lions Bill Allen and Curt Dimberg co-chair the Vision Assistance Committee.

PROJECT KIDSIGHT
Eight to ten percent of young children will have a vision problem. Amblyopia or "lazy eye" is the most common cause of visual impairment in childhood. Amblyopia will lead to loss of sharp vision in one eye unless it is detected and treated in the preschool years. Amblyopia can be caused by any condition that affects normal vision development or usethe eyes such as: strabismus (esotropia where eyes turn in or exotropia where eyes turn out); myopia or nearsightedness; hyperopia or farsightedness; cataracts; astigmatism; anisometropia (refractive errors differ in each eye); anisocoria (pupil sizes are different; coloboma (a gap in part of the structures of the eye); and ptosis (drooping eye lid). To address this problem, the Club conducts an annual photo eye screening of preschool children in Lincoln County and the Mescalero Apache Reservation. Lions Bill Allen and Bryson McCool are co-Chairpersons of the Photo Eye Screening Committee. The Club is also providing training and assistance to other NM Clubs to get NM Lions Operation KidSight going in their communities.

LINCOLN COUNTY HEAD START PROGRAM SUPPORT
Head Start is a comprehensive child development program designed to foster healthy development in low-income children. Program grantees and delegate agencies deliver a range of services, responsive and appropriate to each child's and each family's heritage and experience, that encompass all aspects of a child's development and learning.  The overall goal is to increase the school readiness of young children in low-income families. Seventy-five percent of the Lincoln County Head Start Program budget is federally funded. The other 25% must come from the community donations and volunteers. The Club annually donates $1000 to the Lincoln Head Start Program which is used for emergency assistance to provide warm clothing, shoes, blankets, heaters, dental services, etc. where needed.

CANCER VICTIM ASSISTANCE
The Club had supported Relay For Life for several years with an annual donation of $1000.  It was decided this last year that the Club would budget annually $1000 for financial assistance to cancer victims and their families. Whatever, if any, of the funds that are remaining at the end of the year will be donated to Relay For Life. This year the Club donated $1000 to help Sean and Ryan Friberg, two-year old twins, who have leukemia (see article, Go, Jack, Go.")

CHRISTIAN SERVICES SUPPORT

Founded in 1987 and housed at the Gateway Church of Christ, Christian Services maintains a clothing room and food bank stocked by donations from the community. Around 50 to 100 local individuals are helped weekly. Also housed in the Gateway building, the Gateway Disaster Relief Team responds to 10-20 incidents each year. They provide on-scene support to emergency services personnel and the individuals affected by the emergency as well as open the Gateway building as an emergency shelter. They also provide financial support to families and victims of disasters. The Club provides an annual donation of $1000 to Christian Services. Lion Bill Wooley is the Chairperson of this project. 
             

 

LINCOLN COUNTY FOOD BANK
The Lincoln Food Bank provides a standard, healthy box of food to those who need it. The folks at the Lincoln County Food Bank follow the guidelines and the experience of Food Banks throughout our nation. A family in need is presented with a big box, already made up by staff, containing the basic foods recommended by hunger relief organizations throughout the nation. Twenty-two items are in that box which weighs in access of 40 pounds. Hot dogs, fresh milk and eggs are added by the Food Bank worker. Clients are invited to select from flour, sugar, lard, and desserts (from Lawrence Bros Bakery) and an array of cans and boxes. The Club provides an annual donation of $500 to the Lincoln County Food Bank. In the past, Lion Jim Radcliffe has chaired this project.

PEACE POSTER CONTEST
The Lions International Annual Peace Poster Contest is an opportunity for hundreds of thousands of 11 to 13 year olds from around the world to artistically create their hope for peace. Through an art medium, using only pictures and no words, children render their vision for world peace. Lions Clubs can sponsor the program in their community for children in local schools or organized, sponsored youth groups. Students, ages 11, 12 or 13 by November 15 are eligible to participate. Students select a medium as outlined in the contest rules to draw, paint or sketch their interpretation of the contest’s theme. Each poster is judged on originality, artistic merit and expression of the theme. Posters advance through several judging levels: local, district, multiple district and international. At the international level, a group of judges from the art, peace, youth, education and media communities select one grand prize winner and 23 merit award winners. The Club annually sponsors a Peace Poster Contest with at least three schools in Lincoln County and Mescalero participating. Lions Tom Pugh and Chris McCool are co-chairs of this project.

HIGHWAY CLEAN UP
The Club has been assigned a mile of highway on the airport road that we are responsible to keep the trash picked up. The Club sets up 3-4 work days annually to pick up trash. This project has proven to be a good means of making the Club visible to the community. Lion Tom Pugh is the Chairperson of the Club's Highway Clean up Project.

ASPENFEST PARADE BAND FEED
Each year in October to celebrate fall, the Aspenfest occurs in Ruidoso which includes a large parade. Numerous high school bands from all over march in the parade. It has been a long standing tradition of the Club to provide a lunch for the members of the bands after the parade is over. Lion Leo Mitchell is Chairperson of this project.