Special guest visits Union County Lions
A first for Union County Lions Club when an Executive Director of the Georgia Lions Lighthouse travels to Union County to be a guest speaker! Lion Christina Lennon, a member of the Atlanta Lions Club, was introduced by longtime Union County Lion Arthur Gurr, at a recent Lions Club meeting.

Left to right: Lions Arthur Gurr, Christina Lennon and Michael Thompson.

Lion Christina chose not to give a bunch of number and percentage figures, but rather, a selected few real life stories of people assisted by the Lighthouse; some of whom have told their stories in person at semi annual Lighthouse meetings.

Born in Florida, Lion Christina has an impressive educational background and came to the Lighthouse in August of 2005 after working with the United Way for 10 years and thus far has visited 60 of the 200 plus Lions Club of Georgia.

She stated that her very week with the Georgia Lions Lighthouse, located on Clearmont Road in Decatur, Ga., was an exciting one as she visited the Childrens Eye Care at Emory University Hospital and saw an 18 month old baby being fitted with contact lenses, paid for by the Lions Lighthouse.

Lion Christina's second week she met a 27 year old man who had a severe hearing problem and due to finances, was unable to even see anyone about his condition. He was living at home with his mother and no job. Someone finally referred him to the Lighthouse where he too was assisted in receiving hearing aides and his mother as also in need of hearing aids, which were provided. This young man has since been to school to learn a trade, gotten a job, moved out on his own and now even has a girlfriend.

Yet another true story was that of a contractor who owned his own business, became blind due to cataracts, no income, bills due, and because he owned his home, could not receive any financial help from any other source. Enter the Lighthouse, who got him the needed eye surgery and he is now back to work as a contractor and forever grateful for his restored vision because the Lighthouse was there for him.

The stories continue, however, the members of this Lions Club are very grateful to hear firsthand of what donations to the Lighthouse do and why the upcoming White Cane Days are so very important where you, the public, can have a part in the "Gift of Sight." For every one dollar donated, the Georgia Lions Lighthouse is able, through the generosity of physicians and hospitals, to provide dollars in services.

White Cane Days are Friday, April 20 and Saturday, April 21. Union County Lions will be at selected places of businesses with their White Cane buckets. Please give.

As you can see, the Lighthouse not only serves those visionly impaired, but also those with hearing impairment. And to Lion Christina Lennon, a tremendous thanks for taking time to visit and speak to the Union County Lions Club. Lions motto: We Serve.