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San Miguel de Allende, Gto., Mexico www.smalions.org |
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History of the Lions Club of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico The Club was chartered on 14 September 1987 with 38 charter members. The first President was Charlie Sedgewich. Currently, the Club has some 52 members. Over the years, a total of 189 members have been inducted into the Club. Of the original charter members, only one remains; that being Past-President John Stein, who was elected President in 1989. Past-President Dorothy Sedgewich was the first woman President of a Lions Club in the country of Mexico. She served two terms. Other Presidents were: Mike Barron, Hope Harmon, Russ Archibald, Christiana Shuell, Tom Hewitt, Jack Sullivan (4 terms), Ellen Gary (3 terms), and our current President John Carper (serving his 2nd term). Eye Clinic The first Eye Clinic was held in January 1992 in the current clinic space. which was used as both a Clinic and a Club House. The examination chair was donated by the Coo's Bay, Oregon Lions Club and was shipped to San Antonio, TX, then transported to San Miguel by Lions Bill Gibson and Jack Sullivan. Other equipment followed. In 1992, Optometrist (and Honorary Lion) Alberto Carrera became our resident Optometrist, and 14 years later, he continues to serve the Club in that capacity. Jack Sullivan was the clinic director from 1992 to 1998, followed by Jim Risko in 1998, and Wes Lawton in 2005. Through 2005, the club has conducted 11,095 eye examinations and had dispensed 10,154 pairs of glasses. There are some 35,000 pairs of glasses available for distribution. In addition to the Eye Clinic operations, the Club operated a Diabetes Awareness Program during 1994-95. A Diabetes Testing program was added back into the operations in late 2005. Although the primary purpose of the Eye Clinic has been to test disadvantaged Mexicans for their eye needs and dispensing glasses to fit these needs, the Clinic has also been conducting Pterygium examinations. Since 1999, the Temple Foundation has been partnering with the Lions Club in this program, and has been paying for the surgical and medical fees, doctors fees, and equipment costs for Pterygium operations. To date, there have been 156 surgeries for Pterygium; The program was expanded in 2001 to include other sight-saving surgeries for children. Since then, there have been 20 surgeries for strabismus (crossed-eyes); and 9 surgeries for tumors and ingrown eyelashes. Honorary Lion Member Bobbie Aiken, President of the Temple Foundation, has been instrumental in this success. Although there have been 170 surgeries to date, the waiting list is quite extensive and funding has been limited. In the spring of 2006, The Temple Foundation is unfortunately ceasing its operations in Mexico. The Club is searching for other funding avenues. Lions International As of 1 January 2005, LIONS CLUB INTERNATIONAL had 1,347,214 members in 46,020 Clubs in 745 Districts in 193 Countries and geographic areas. Lions is the world's largest service organization; with a Mission Statement as follows: " TO CREATE AND FOSTER A SPIRIT OF UNDERSTANDING AMONG ALL PEOPLE FOR HUMANITARIAN NEEDS BY PROVIDING VOLUNTARY SERVICES THROUGH COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND INTERNATIONAL CO-OPERATION." |
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