Easter is fast approaching, and Lions Club members are selling roses for delivery on Good Friday, April 19, and Saturday, April 20, 2019. Colors cannot be guaranteed and vary from beautiful reds, yellows, shades of pink, and some “variegated” colors. The cost per dozen is $15.
Orders can be placed with any Lions Club member or by calling Jim Blakemore, 772-3744, Bob Smith, 772-2896, or Flora Stralow, 772-4874. The ordering deadline is Sunday, April 14.
Proceeds from this fundraiser support two scholarships awarded to Morrison High School Seniors and reimbursement to the CGH Eyeglasses for Kids Program, for providing glasses to Morrison area children.
On Tuesday morning, April 10, several members of the club will be at Morrison Community Day Care, to offer free eye screening to children ages six months to six years. This age group does not receive screening unless parents take the child to an eye doctor. Screening equipment used may determine eye disorders, such as far- and nearsightedness, astigmatism, lazy eye, and crossed eyes. Such eye problems can be treated successfully, especially when the child is young. The screening process is done by a photographic process at a distance of three feet. There is no physical contact with the child, and no drops are administered. Information and consent forms will be provided to the parents or guardian prior to the screening. This is a great opportunity for parents to take advantage of the free screening.
District Governor Barb Stewart, shown at right with President Darlene Smith, visited the club on Tuesday, March 19. Stewart reinforced the Lions International theme and motto “We Serve,” stressing the need for our club to gain new members. Many members make it easier to do more service projects to fulfill the motto. Her theme for her term is ROAR, reach out and respond. Her project is fighting diabetes by donating money to fight it, raising awareness by providing literature, and hosting health fairs.
A donation to the Lions of Illinois Foundation for Diabetes was approved at the meeting. Lions give support to Diabetes education, because it is one of the leading causes of blindness. A donation to the Boy Scouts was also approved.
Tracy Muur, below left, introduced Carrie Melton, Executive Director of April House, as the Tuesday, March 5, program speaker. April House, located In Morrison, IL, is the Children’s Advocacy Center of Whiteside County. Three people complete the staff. In addition to the Executive Director, there is a Forensic Interviewer and an Advocate. This facility is a place where children who have been abused can relate their stories in a homelike setting. Services provided by April House are the catalyst for many children who have been sexually or physically abused, neglected, or exploited. It is the starting place for the healing process and to bring closure to traumatic abuse. When Police or DCFS feel there is a child being abused, the child is brought to April House by a caregiver or other “safe” adult, where they talk with a trained interviewer in a child-focused environment. The visit is taped so the child only tells their story once. Professionals ultimately make decisions to help the child. Those include Law Enforcement, mental health providers, prosecution, child protective services, victim advocacy, and others. April House makes the process as comfortable as possible for the child and family. Funding for the facility is received through grants, donations, United Way of Whiteside County, and State and Federal agencies.
We welcome all who are interested in learning more about Lions to come to any of our meetings on the first and third Tuesday, at noon at Happy Joe’ s Pizza, 109 W. Main Street, Morrison. You also can learn more about our club by visiting www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/morrisonil.