Community Projects
Medical Loan Closet
The Medina Lions took over managing the Medical Loan Closet from the Lyndonville Lions in the summer of 2019. A short time later, with the help of Lyndonville Lion Russ Martino, the Medina Lions began to operate the loan closet, with the purpose to accept donations of medical items from the public and lend those items to those who need them.
“Very often, the need of these expensive items is temporary and we provide a way to reuse them and save people the expense of buying them,” Punch said. “Everyone is eligible to borrow items from us, and we serve all of Orleans and eastern Niagara counties.”
The medical equipment, which includes hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers, canes, knee scooters, braces, shower chairs, commodes and lift chairs, among other items, is stored in space generously donated by the Old Pickle Factory’s owner, Roger Hungerford, Punch said. Other equipment is stored in overflow space donated by Barden Homes.
Vision Screening
Eighty percent of all visual impairment can be prevented or cured. The first step to prevention is awareness. The second is early detection through vision screening. Around the world, Lions partner with medical professionals and community leaders to screen young children, primary school students, and adults to identify those at risk for vision loss. The venue for Lions’ vision screenings varies from schools, to workplaces, to community health fairs, and the screening methods depend upon the age group. But the results are always the same. Early identification leads to timely referral, professional treatment, and improved or restored sight.