By Lisa Carolin
It’s a busy time for the Chelsea Lions Club and new members are always welcome. The club used to just focus on raising funds for the blind. Now the club, which is international, is also taking a preventive stance against blindness.
Chartered in March, 1977, below are some of the services the Lions Club provides for the community:
- Going into preschools to screen children for eye problems.
- Providing for two Community Service Awards for Chelsea High School students.
- Providing funding through Faith in Action for eyeglasses and hearing aids.
- Providing families through Faith in Action with turkeys for Thanksgiving.
- Sponsoring families through Faith in Action during Christmas.
- Handing out candy canes at Polly’s in December.
- Providing funds to the Chelsea Senior Center.
- Collecting eyeglasses in yellow boxes around town to support people who need surgery.
- Staffing the dunk tank during the Chelsea Community Fair.
- Supporting Leader Dogs for the Blind in Rochester Hills, Mich.
“We built the gazebo in Timbertown and recently helped fund Weber Fields,” said Chelsea Lions Club member Keith Bloomensaat. “We also helped provide funds for the Chelsea Community Garden and the Chelsea Senior Center’s storage shed.”
Bloomensaat joined the Chelsea Lions Club in 1988 and has been part of the club’s progress.
“The club has also gotten more involved with training people about eye restoration and health issues that affect eyesight like preventing diabetes,” he said.
The Chelsea Lion’s Club invites women to join. The club’s only requirement is that all members be at least 18 years of age.
“For the last three years, we’ve been displaying flags for the five flag holidays,” said Bloomensaat. “For a cost of $40, Lions Club members will put in and take out a flag in your yard on all five holidays.”
The Chelsea Lions Club will offer free eye screenings at the Chelsea Spring Expo on April 14 at the Washington Street Education Center.
Expo would be a great time to meet some of the club’s members, ask questions and get more involved in their efforts.
