Question: I made a contribution to the Lions for White Cane Day last week. What is it and what do the Lions do with the contributions?
Answer: White Cane Day occurs every year on Oct. 15. Typically, the president issues a proclamation to that effect. Many governors and other government officials echo the president's proclamation, encouraged by the Lions and other organizations that work with the blind and vision impaired.
The purpose of White Cane Day is to ensure that everyone is aware of the white cane laws on the books in every state, which indicate that vehicles must yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian using a white cane. White Cane Day also highlights the fact that, by learning to use a white cane and the other tools available today, anyone experiencing vision loss can regain much of their independence. Lions Clubs International has been committed to providing assistance to the blind and vision impaired and working to prevent blindness since 1927, when Helen Keller challenged the Lions to become "Knights of the Blind" in the battle against darkness. Typically funds contributed to a local Lions Club during a White Cane event go toward the club's efforts to assist the blind and/or toward sight-saving efforts, such as Lions International's "Campaign Sight First II."
You can find out more about the Lions' sight-saving efforts at www.lionsclubs.org. As is the case with any request for a contribution, don't be afraid to ask what your contribution will be going to support. In the case of White Cane Day, the Lions have made significant strides in reducing cases of preventable blindness in the United States and around the world. Unfortunately, because of macular degeneration, diabetes, glaucoma, etc. the number of those experiencing vision loss is on the rise, so there's more work to do in this area. Personally, I think your contribution went to support a very worthy cause. No one appreciates the value of sight more than someone who no longer has it. Anything we can do to reduce the number of cases of preventable blindness, to restore sight when possible and to assist those with permanent vision loss to be as independent as possible are all steps in the right direction!
Our thanks to the reader who asked this question. Here's where to send your comments or inquiries:
At Your Service, Rob Stemple, Daily American newsroom, P.O. Box 638 Somerset, PA 15501 or email brianw@dailyamerican.com.
(Rob Stemple is Community Outreach and Rehabilitation Liaison for Somerset County Blind Center (SCBC); a Division of the Susquehanna Association for the Blind and Vision Impaired (SABVI). He is available to speak to school and civic groups, churches, etc. Rob is a member of Apostles Creed, a Contemporary Christian group based at Unity United Church of Christ that provides music for community events and fundraisers. Call him at 814-445-1310 or send an Email to rstemple@somersetblind.org for additional information.)
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