MADISON – Parents and children associated with a local family center can feel better about having healthy eyes, thanks to the work of the Madison Area Family Lions Club.

Madison Lions conducted eye screening at the Village of Promise Family Advancement Center in Huntsville on Sept. 1. This center was founded to address the needs of children and families in distressed, high-poverty neighborhoods. (villageofpromise.org)

“This event was a joint effort between the Madison Area Family Lions Club and the Von Braun Lions Club. Our partner, Lindell Smith of the Von Braun Lions Club, helped us with this event,” Madison Lions President LaToya Dorsey said. “We appreciate his help with this effort.”

“The event’s primary purpose was to provide eye screening to the children in their Preparatory Program at Village of Promise. Club members screened approximately 40 children, ranging in age from 13 months to four years,” Dorsey said. “The screening program is one aspect of Lion Club’s Vision for Learning program. We appreciate the opportunity to provide eye screening to the Village of Promise children.”

In addition to eye screening, the Vision for Learning program provides an eye exam and glasses to students within the Madison City Schools district. “The club is looking to expand the program to parts of the Madison County Schools system in the future,” Dorsey said.

Another vision service that the club supports is the collection of used eyeglasses with the Lions’ Recycle for Sight program. “The collected glasses will be cleaned and prepared for distribution in developing countries where eye care is often unaffordable and inaccessible,” Dorsey said. “The club has collection boxes at various locations in Madison and Huntsville.”

Madison Area Family Lions Club constantly looks for new members who want to serve their community. Club members meet monthly on second Tuesdays at Ted’s Bar-B-Q on Madison Boulevard at 6:30 p.m.

Lions clubs are a recognized service organization who identify needs within their community and work together to fulfill those needs. For more information or to get involved with Lions, call John Emich at 334-312-6265, email Tony Villamil at madisonlionsclub@gmail.com or Facebook/ Madison Area Family Lions Club.