Kids’ eye-screenings joined pancakes on the menu at Aurora Noon Lions Club’s annual Bunny Breakfast Saturday, April 8.
The annual fundraiser was held at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Aurora, site of Noon Lions meetings on first and third Thursdays.
An estimated 300 breakfasts were served. Proceeds will benefit Lions’ vision- and hearing-impaired charities.
Michelle Needham of Plainfield, eye-screener, said two of 13 children screened were referred for a complete eye exam.
She used a Plusoptix screener to check eye health of kids six months to six years. The screening looks for near-sightedness, called myopia; far-sightedness, hyperopia; and astigmatism, egg-shaped eye.
Parents or guardians were notified if the screening indicated a vision problem that required a comprehensive exam.
Noon Lions provided the free screenings as a community service.
The service was supported by a grant from the DeKalb-based Lions Club International Foundation. The effort is part of Lions Kidsight USA, community eye-screening for children sponsored by Lions International.
The Darien Lions Club loaned the device.
Needham said, “Be eye smart!
“Vision problems can, and often do, occur without you or your child noticing them.
“Get children’s eyes examined on a regular basis.”
She said warning signs of vision problems are changes in vision, changes in eye appearance, eye pain or irritation, and infections or allergies.
Founded in 1922, Aurora Noon Lions Club is entering its second century of community service.
Open to men and women interested in community service, the club meets at noon on the first and third Thursdays at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 27 S. Edgelawn Drive in Aurora.
With the motto “We Serve,” Lions volunteers focus on supporting causes including hearing and vision impairment, hunger, the environment, diabetes and childhood cancer.
Lions Clubs International is the largest service club organization in the world. Approximately 1.42 million members in more than 48,000 clubs serve in 200 countries and geographic areas worldwide.
Since 1917, Lions have strengthened local communities through hands-on service and humanitarian projects and extend service impact through the Lions Clubs International Foundation.
For more information about Lions Clubs International, visit lionsclubs.org.
—Al Benson