WHITE CANES DAY. Steve Little, chair of the Ballard Lions White Cane Days fundraiser on May 4 and 5 said monies raised help low-income people obtain eye glasses. Dean Wong photo.
For members of the Ballard Lions, White Cane Days is more than a fundraiser, it's a chance to help people with poor eyesight to see better.
White Cane Days on May 4 and 5 hopes to raise $2,200 this year. A year ago, the Lions Club members collected $1,525 from the public. Additional monies were donated from other members and sources to bring the total to $2,035.
"It's a focused attempt to do tangible good in the community," said Steve Little, this year's chair of White Canes Day.
So far in 2007, the Ballard Lions have helped a Ballard High School student obtain new glasses who came to the United States from China. His teacher had noticed he could not see the blackboard.
The Lions have also made glasses available to a McClure Middle School girl who is being raised by a single mother. In addition eight homeless people with vision problems have been sent to the Optometric Center by the Lions for glasses. The Ballard Lions also work with LensCrafters at Northgate Mall to get discounts on glasses.
In 2005, Ballard High School student Miguel Flores received a new cornea transplant paid for the by Ballard Lions at a cost of $6,000. A local optometrist provided a huge discount for the surgery.
This year, Flores is receiving is second cornea in a transplant operation with the help of the Ballard Lions.
"This is the type of thing we work for. That's where the money goes. Mundane things like being able to see impacts life," said Little.
With improved eyesight, people have better self esteem and a sense of worth.
"The Lions raise money for critical activities to allow people to function and enjoy their lives," said Little.
Lions Club chapters work with the Northwest Lions Foundation for Sight and Hearing on their programs. The foundation screens 25,000 low-income children a year for sight and hearing.
Lions Club volunteers will be handing out White Cane from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on both days of the event.
They will be in front of: Tulley's Coffee on Market Street; Ballard Safeway; Ballard Market; Fred Meyer; and Ray's Boathouse.
