Lions Club hears CEO of Mid-South Lions Sight and Hearing
GRAVETTE — Lions Club Council Chair Brad Baker was the guest speaker at the Gravette Lions Club meeting Tuesday, April 6. He is also CEO of Mid-South Lions Sight and Hearing in Memphis, Tenn. Past Council Chair Myrna McGee, of Bella Vista, was also a guest at the meeting.
District Governor Jeff Davis, a member of the Gravette club, introduced Baker. He said Baker joined the Jonesboro University Heights Lions Club in 1990 and started at Mid-South in 1995. Both of his parents were Lions who taught him to give back to his community. He has held most offices in his local Lions club. Last year he was Arkansas District 7-O Governor and this year serves as the Multi-District 7 (Arkansas) Council Chairman.
Baker focused primarily on the work of Mid-South Lions Sight and Hearing. He said the organization has been providing comprehensive eye care for patients in the states of Arkansas, Mississippi,
Missouri and western Tennessee since 1942. He said that applications for assistance have tripled in the last few years. Costs of eye care, except prescriptions, are paid through donations from local Lions Clubs. Mid-South has been partnering with the Eye Center in Fayetteville since 1996, providing care for many in Northwest Arkansas, and the Eye Center is now the second-largest treatment facility in the Mid-South system. He recounted the stories of several patients who had received help there.
Mid-South has been able to serve many patients in the last year despite the pandemic. MidSouth is almost totally dependent on contributions from local Lions Clubs and, since many clubs have not been meeting and have not been able to hold fundraisers, the need for funding is critical. He urged the Gravette club to donate and told of the opportunity to support MidSouth through joining the Mid-South Booster Club Champions by donating $10 a month. This can be done by going to the website wwwmidshouthlions. org and then to “Click here to donate.” He noted that Mid-South is a Lions Club state project.
Baker told of some upcoming events, including a Lions Leaders weekend, canceled in April, which will now be held in August with a tour of the facility, a barbecue meal and an opportunity to interview Mid-South patients.
Baker recited the Lion slogan, “Where there’s a need, there’s a Lion,” and praised the Gravette club for meeting that objective. He said he thought Gravette Lions were doing “a great job” and commended them for putting new members to work on projects right away.
In a short business session at the meeting, club president Linda Damron reminded the members of the upcoming food drive the first week in May. It is hoped a couple more drop-off locations can be added. Bill Mattler volunteered to place a poster about the drive at the Hiwasse Store.
A thank-you note was received from Bright Futures for the club’s monetary donation and for members who helped fill backpacks with supplies for spring break.
Upcoming events were discussed, including the club’s workday planned for Earth Day, April 22, beginning at 10 a.m. at Hillcrest Cemetery. Members voted to authorize Jeff Davis to purchase needed materials for the project. Workers are asked to bring tools, including shovels, rakes and belt sanders. The club plans an in-person meeting Tuesday, May 4, at Old Town Park, and members will sort donated eyeglasses following the meeting.
Election of officers was held, with most current officers remaining in their positions. The slate of 2021-2022 officers includes Linda Damron, president; Cela Gaytan, vice-president; Jeff Davis, secretary-treasurer; and Bill Mattler, tail twister. Davis was also appointed the club’s delegate to the international convention in June.
Melanie Nichols will be the guest speaker for the next meeting, Tuesday, April 20, at 12 noon. Prospective members and guests are always welcome. Anyone wishing to attend should call Jeff Davis, 479-787-1068, to get the Zoom link for the meeting.