Putting into action the organization’s motto of “We Serve,” nine Lions representing two Frederick County Lions Clubs recently came together on a countywide service project when 226 preschool children in the YMCA of Frederick County Head Start program received vision screenings performed by Lions members on seven different dates at various sites in September and October. The majority of the screenings were conducted at the Head Start offices in Frederick, with the remaining screenings held at Head Start locations at Hillcrest and Libertytown Elementary Schools. Approximately 101 Lions service hours were spent on this effort. This was the fifth consecutive year for the joint screening effort.
The children were brought in one at a time to a non-invasive testing station with Head Start staff members accompanying the children. The station utilized PlusoptiX S12C eye-vision technology to capture an image of the children’s eyes and automatically determine whether a vision impairment, such as near- or far-sightedness or astigmatism, was present. The tester holds the unit approximately one meter from the child and asks the child to focus on the smiling face on the front of the camera. At the completion of the testing, each child received a Lion sticker to indicate they had completed the screening process.
The parents/guardians of all children tested received written test results to indicate whether their child was recommended to see a vision professional for a potential problem or was unable to be screened. While the vast majority of children passed, readings obtained by trained Lions indicated that some of the children needed to be seen by vision professionals for potential vision anomalies. The advanced technology of the PluxoptiX camera provides readings that are printed out on a label which is attached to the letter for use by the vision professional of the parents’ choice.
Colleen Ford, a Health Coordinator for the YMCA of Frederick County Head Start, stated, “Once again, our local Lions Club members have dedicated many hours of their time helping Frederick County (Maryland) families and children by conducting vision screenings. Even though it is a time-consuming task, it is one of extreme importance to the child’s overall health and educational development. Without the generous time given of the Lions Club members, it would be very hard to complete this task in a timely manner.”
Ford continued, “The staff and families of the YMCA of Frederick County Head Start program greatly appreciate the time and dedication of all the Lions Club members that assisted in this screening. Keep on roaring!”
Lions members participating in the screenings included: Donna Haines, Sharon Hane, Cliff Sweeney, and Bill and Rachel Wivell from the Emmitsburg Lions Club; and John Aulls, Suzanne Everhart, Lynn Stimmel, and Duane Voitel from Francis Scott Key Lions Club.
Child care centers or organizations that want to learn more about the Lions preschool vision screening program or to schedule a screening should contact Region III Lions Saving Kids Sight Coordinator, Lion John Aulls at aulls2@comcast.net or 301/662-2360.
Lions participating in the recent vision screenings of Head Start students included: (seated) Lion Sharon Hane, Emmitsburg Lions; Colleen Ford, Health Coordinator, YMCA of Frederick County Head Start; and Lion Lynn Stimmel, Francis Scott Key Lions; (standing) Lion Clifford Sweeney, Emmitsburg Lions; Lion John Aulls, Francis Scott Key Lions, Lions Bill and Rachel Wivell, Emmitsburg Lions; and Lana Tinney, Nutrition Coordinator, YMCA of Frederick County Head Start. Participating but not shown: Lion Donna Haines of Emmitsburg Lions; and Lions Suzanne Everhart and Duane Voitel, Francis Scott Key Lions.