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LEBANON COUNTY SIGHT CONSERVATION
COMMITTEE UNIQUE TO WORLD LIONS
by Lion Tim McShane

   The Lions Clubs of Lebanon County begin their 53rd year of service to our visually-impaired neighbors this month. Nowhere else in the world have all the Lions clubs of one county banded together in a cooperative venture dedicated to service. Known as the Lebanon County Lions Sight Conservation Committee, they have provided a full-time Sight Nurse to serve the county since December 1, 1946. Together they pay for exams, glasses and some prostheses for those unable to do so themselves.

   The Sight Nurse evaluates cases, schedules appointments and provides transportation where required. The committee has its roots in the mid-1920s when the Lebanon Lions Club provided these services to the entire county. As time went on and the need grew, the Lebanon Club hired a part-time nurse named Ruth Peiffer Brandt in August 1931. Her charge was to visit all blind and visually-impaired cases in Lebanon County, arrange exams with ophthalmologists, provide transportation, and travel to Philadelphia with those cases referred to Wills Eye Hospital.

   In the early 40's, the Lebanon Club struggled to meet the financial demands of sustaining this countywide program which itself had grown beyond the means of a part-time Sight Nurse. The late Lebanon Lion Dan Walter was instrumental as delegates from seven clubs formed the Lebanon County Sight Conservation committee, established operating procedures, and elected officers. The seven clubs were Lebanon, Palmyra, Heidelberg, Richland, Newmanstown, Jonestown and Fredericksburg. Today, all Lions clubs in the county participate except Palmyra.

In December 1946, the committee hired Ruth Brandt full-time and she served until January 1974, altogether an incredible span of 43 years! Her replacement, Betty DeLong served 24 years and was sometimes assisted by her husband, Paul. Judy Blouch continued the work on July 1, 1997 until the current, sight coordinator Christy Deiner took over in August 2000.

Anyone seeking assistance with eye care or glasses may contact a local Lion's Club member or call Christy Deiner at 867.4300. Christy will take financial information to verify need and refer to the proper doctor for care. Many cases are also referred to the Lions through the Department of Public Welfare. It is important to note that the County Sight Committee has a two year residency requirement as the clubs strive to control costs and support needy people who are truly members of our community. This requirement may be waived for medical emergencies.

The twelve clubs which comprise the Sight Committee employ various means to raise the funds necessary to meet their assessments (which are based on geographical limits). Most have White Cane Days, where they actively solicit donations from the public. The Lebanon Club holds a golf outing every April, which netted over $10,000 in 1997. The Annual Ride-for-Sight directly benefits the County Sight Committee. For the past 35 years, Treasurer Art Hostetter of the Annville-Cleona Lions Club has handled all financial transactions, while the late Lloyd Deaven of the Jonestown Lions served the same tenure as Secretary. His dedication along with Lions like Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Mike Mease and Darwin Glick, who have served 20 years each, have given the Committee the stability and leadership necessary to carry forth its mission.

Lastly, the success of the County Sight committee is owed to the cooperation of the caregivers in our area. The ophthalmologists and optometrists who adhere to the Lions fee schedule have allowed the majority of the clubs to continue in the program and will always play a critical role in its success or failure.

-Lion Tim McShane is a past-President and current board member of the Lebanon Lions Club.