February 20, 2015 at 4:04 p.m.
Eyes on the prize: Rhinelander Lions Club endures
Eyes on the prize: Rhinelander Lions Club endures
By Kayla Thomason-
"Since 1917 the Lion Clubs have aided the blind, visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world," said Don Frederickson, a Lion since 1982 and public relations chairperson for club. "In 1926, at the Lions (Clubs) International Convention, a woman by the name of Helen Keller came to the Lions and addressed the convention and she said she wanted the Lions to be Knights of (the Blind) and work with people that had sight deficiencies and blindness. That is our mission."
Recently, the Lions gave 700 children in the Rhinelander schools eye exams.
"We send money to the Oneida County Health Department and that money is used for people with sight problems," Frederickson said. "We don't administer the program. If we have someone with a sight problem we transfer them to the nurse up in Oneida County and they determine the needs of that person and then they come back to us and we either provide glasses, or (whatever) kind of eye services they need, or direct these people to someplace that they can get further eye services."
Some members of the Lions Club also transport donated corneas to the Wisconsin Eye Bank.
One of the group's most enduring traditions involves the Christmas holiday.
"I started (the Headstart Christmas Party) in 1984 so we provide these kids with hats, mittens, toys, coloring books, crayons and candy - just enough candy - and we have a Santa Claus that comes from the North Pole - actually he comes from the Sugar Camp Lions Club," Frederickson said.
For another Christmas event last year, the Christmas Not Alone Dinner, the Lions made 32 turkeys, 150 pounds of mashed potatoes, 50 pounds of dressing, cookies, pies and rolls. That hearty meal served 200 people.
The club's generosity and dedication to people doesn't end there. Members also build homes for the disabled, improve the environment, provide disaster relief and make contributions to the buildings and pavilion in Hodag Park.
The Lions raise funds for various health organizations such as the American Cancer Society, Alzheimer's Association and Diabetes Awareness.
"American Cancer Society 2014 Relay for Life Cancer Walk, this was a program that was really initiated by the Leo Club and between the two clubs and personal contributions we raised $3,123," Frederickson said.
The club distributes over $30,000 a year to other community organizations, Frederickson added.
"When we find needs we try to find the money to meet those needs," he said.
The Rhinelander Lions Club has approximately 60 to 65 members. It is part of Lions Clubs International which has over 1.5 million members participating in 4,500 clubs in 200 countries.
The Rhinelander Lions Club volunteers with and donates to a vast number of organizations and initiatives. They include the local Leo Club, the Rhinelander Area Food Pantry, Diabetes Awareness, Leader Dogs for the Blind, the Wisconsin Lions Foundation, Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin, adult and youth eye screening, Oneida County Health Department Vision and Eye Glass Support, Badger Boys State, Rhinelander Headstart Christmas Party, Camp Birchrock, Fourth of July Kiddie Parade, Rhinelander High School scholarships, athletic programs and the debate team, Lily's House, Tri-County Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Frederick Place, Personal Essential Pantry, Rhinelander Camp Fire Program, Rhinelander Police Department K-9 dog, Alzheimer's Association of North Central Wisconsin, Wisconsin Lions Camp for the Disabled, Christmas Not Alone Dinner, Lions Club Fisheree at Boom Lake, highway cleanup, Babe Ruth baseball, Rhinelander Soccer Club, Hodag Water Ski Shows, Rhinelander High School prom events, Rhinelander High School Alpine Ski Team, White Cane Day, and the Foreign Student Exchange Program.
The club also provides Christmas gifts for nursing home residents.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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