“We Serve.” Those words are the proud motto of Lions around the world. We serve in many ways, and sometimes we don’t get to see and touch the specific results of our efforts and dedication. Not so with a major effort by Ensight, the low-vision organization the Fort Collins Lions Club helped establish some 12 years ago.
This month Ensight rolled out a very tangible example of Lions-supported low vision services. It is something we can all touch and see: a specially-equipped Sprinter van that Ensight will use to essentially make “house calls” to provide low vision services to more clients. Manned by an Ensight ophthalmologist and an occupational therapist, the van will not only improve services to clients in places like local senior care facilities, but will help expand the geographic area served.
The van proudly bears the logos of Ensight, Lions, and Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF). We can be proud of the visibility it gives to our efforts. We have good reason to be proud: the van is part of expanded Ensight services being funded by our Lions Foundation, by the State Foundation, and by the International Foundation. Already the van has made appearances (and gotten good publicity) at the District 6NE Cabinet Meeting in Kersey, in Sterling with the Sterling Lions, and at the County Fair, and at this weekend’s Loveland Corn Roast Festival.
To complement the grants, Ensight is completing a campaign to fund the ‘finishing touches’ in the van. I’m proud that many of our members have contributed. Thank you! And if others want to help get this done, Ensight would be delighted to get your check, for any amount.
We welcome the increased low-vision services the Ensight van will now provide—and we especially welcome the public display of tangible evidence that “We Serve!”
Doug Hutchinson
President
International Student Experience
by Susan Yadon
Tobey and I joined the Kitchells, as well as several other host families this year, agreeing to host students for three weeks through the Lions’ International Student Exchange. We opened our homes and our hearts to two incredibly wonderful students; Leon from Germany, Michele from Italy. The Kitchells hosted Basia, a sweet girl from Poland.
From July 27 to August 20, we were on the go 24/7 (with a week off August 11-17 while the students attended Lions Camp at Woodland Park). With several students in the Fort Collins, Windsor, and Denver area, there were many group excursions which included the Larimer County Fair/Rodeo, Water World, Fort Fun, barbeques, a Rockies baseball game, a tour of the Denver capitol, and of course, shopping. We also took our boys to Rocky Mountain National Park and a trip to Cameron Pass to see moose, riding bikes, and a hike up Horsetooth Mountain.
Even though 11 of the students had been together on several occasions before camp and friendships had formed, the boys were still anxious to meet the other 14 students who would be attending camp. Our boys, Leon and Michele, came back with fun stories and were thrilled at having made so many new friends. They both said it was a great experience and were happy they were able to participate.
All too soon, Leon’s parents and brother arrived on August 19 to collect their son before finishing a tour of the western U.S. We spent a wonderful day together touring Horsetooth and Old Town, and enjoying a barbeque, before saying our goodbyes. Michele’s flight home was the next afternoon. When I asked Michele what the one thing that surprised him most about his trip to the U.S. was, he said that Fort Collins is just like America in the movies: beautiful homes, beautiful yards, the people are friendly, and you feel safe.
Having these students with us reminds me that we do live in a beautiful place and have the opportunity to share it with others. Perhaps you will consider hosting a student next year.
New Member Information:
Mike Whitchurch
Software Engineer
A big shout out of thanks to Alex Chapman for organizing our annual picnic, held August 15 at Fossil Creek Park.
