JENNINGS — Like many Lions Club organizations across the state, the Jennings Lions Club is hoping to save the vision of those in need.

The club received a special donation Monday from Citgo employees in Lake Charles.

The group donated 619 pair of eyeglasses, valued at more than $30,900 to the local Lions Club. “Here in the U.S. it is pretty easy for most people to get another pair of eyeglasses or go to the eye doctor for an exam, but in other parts of the world that is not the case,” Lions Club District Governor and Cubsight coordinator Jeff Robinson said.

Uncorrected vision problems account for the largest portion of blind people in the world, he said.

“Most blindness is because people don’t have access to eye care,” Robinson said. “Through the goodness of groups like the Lions Club we are able to provide people with much-needed eyeglasses.”

Each year, Lions Clubs statewide collect nearly 50,000 pairs of eyeglasses for people in developing countries. The eyeglasses cannot be legally represcribed in the U.S.

Many people would not be able to work or drive without the eyeglasses, Robinson said.

Sally Bertrand, chairman of Citgo’s Safety Awareness Committee, and Bonnie Gilley, safety supervisor, said donating the eyeglasses is part of the company’s community service project.

“It’s satisfying knowing that we are helping other people who can’t afford eyeglasses,” Gilley said. “It’s a great cause and another way we can help our community.”

The Jennings Lions Club also works to save and correct the vision of area kindergartners and preschoolers with annual vision screenings.

(mgnonline.com)