It is hard to believe that an entire year has passed since the announcement of the Prevent Blindness Grant. It is estimated that the team spent well over 3,400 man hours bringing the program to completion. The team faced a special challenge of contacting schools and implementing the program during the same time that school nurses were focused on H1N1 vaccinations and education. This was exacerbated by the severe winter weather and the remote locations of some schools.

Since the last update, two school which had previously declined the program have contacted PBMA to formally accept and schedule their training dates. Three new school systems have been completed and two systems have been scheduled. Three final school systems have still neither accepted nor declined and a letter has been sent about limited time remaining in the program for eligibility.

These are remarkable numbers considering the enormity of the project. Virginia has 36 school systems containing 285 schools and affect 40,690 students and family members.

The amazing PBMA team includes PCC Bill Bartlett, PCC Phil Schrack, CC Don Colley, PPLOVF Carolyn Messimer, PDG John Redden, PID Wayne Davis, Lion Jim Miller, Lion Bud Chambless, Director of Special Gifts Frank Carlomagno, PBMA President Tim Gresham, PBMA VP Robin Mead, Children’s Screening Associate Alison Markow, PBMA Director of Community Programs and Public Health Melissa Perry, Director of Special Projects Martha Telford, and LCIF Coordinator DG Dennis Brining.

The Lions Clubs of Northern Virginia (District 24-A) and the Virginia Lions Eye Institute Foundation (VLEIF) will furnish over $160,000 in equipment to set up an additional low vision exam site at the Virginia Department for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI) Fairfax office.

District 24-A Lions have entered into an agreement with the DBVI whereby the Lions will furnish the Fairfax regional DBVI clinic with a complete set of low vision examination equipment that will provide comprehensive low vision evaluations to visually impaired patients.

The DBVI catchment area covers approximately 2.3 million people and currently has eighteen examination sites.

The agreement was officially signed on Aug. 19, by Lion District 24-A Governor, Dennis Brining; DBVI Deputy Commissioner for Services, Robert Burton; and Virginia Lions Eye Institute President, Elden Wright.

“We are very excited to be working with an organization that shares a common vision. Today we bring our strengths together to reach a larger portion of the population with hopes to continue to expand this effort in the years to come,” stated Lions District 24-A Governor Brining. “Today is the first step of what I hope to be many.”

In addition to the furnishing of equipment, District 24-A Lions have agreed to maintain and calibrate the equipment as well as provide volunteer support to assist in the Low Vision exam site.

“The Department of the Blind and Visually Impaired is very pleased to be working with the Lions,” stated DBVI Commissioner Burton. “We look forward to a long and positive relationship that will benefit the blind and visually impaired throughout this region.”

The term of the current agreement is for three years. The purpose for this agreement is to provide DBVI low vision practitioners access to equipment as well as prescriptive aids on the premises of DBVI offices in Fairfax.

“Broad coverage low vision support has been a goal of VLEIF all along,” noted Wright. “This is a great start; it is the first of multiple centers we plan to support in Northern Virginia”.

DBVI plans to use this exam equipment to open its nineteenth exam site for patients in the Northern Virginia area.

Lions have been involved with the DBVI for many years. Today’s agreement is an extension of this long-term relationship.

Virginia Lions Eye Institute Foundation (VLEIF) operates as a separate entity with the partnership of the Inova Health System. It is governed by a Board of Directors representing the Lions Clubs of District 24-A (Northern Virginia), community ophthalmologists, and the Inova Health Systems Foundation.

VLEIF funds are used for the purchase of equipment, education, scholarships, and clinical research. Additionally, VLEI supports symposia and continuing medical education for nurses and para-professionals in the ophthalmic field. VLEIF recently instituted a scholarship award for sight handicapped individuals.

• District 24-A Lions includes 69 clubs spanning from Leesburg to Montrose VA. With over 1905 members proudly living up to Lions Clubs International motto “We Serve”, and taking on Helen Keller’s challenge to the Lions to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.”

Since 1917, Lions have worked tirelessly to aid their communities, the blind and visually impaired, as well as the hearing impaired.

• The Virginia Department for the Blind and Visually Impaired (DBVI) is committed to providing quality services to assist Virginia’s citizens who are blind, deaf blind or vision impaired in achieving their maximum level of employment, education, and personal independence. The department provides an array of specialized services to blind Virginians of all ages to assist them in attaining the skills, confidence and positive outlook that are critical to independence.

The Bland Music Scholarship Competition, sponsored by the Fairfax Host Lions Club, was held on Sunday, February 21, 2010, at Old Town Hall in the City of Fairfax. Given the earlier snowstorms, we were very fortunate that our contest was held as originally scheduled. Seven of last year’s contestants returned to compete again this year. Twenty of the area’s most talented singers and musicians delighted a very appreciative audience.

Taking 1st place (for the second year in a row) in the vocal category was soprano, Anne Hruskoci, a junior at Annandale High School. Anne sang The Trees on the Mountains composed by Carlisle Floyd. Tenor, Andreas Moffet, earned the 2nd place vocal award after a heart-felt rendition of Non T’amo Piu (I Don’t Love You Anymore) by Francesco Tosti. Andreas is a junior at Woodson High School.

2010 Fairfax Bland Competition Participants

Ten musicians competed for the instrumental 1st place award. That honor went to pianist, Kevin Shu, a junior at Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology. Kevin played Ludwig van Beethoven’s Tempest Sonata mvt.1. Capturing 2nd place in the instrumental category was pianist, Elaine Chen, a 10th grader also attending TJHSST. Elaine played Mephisto Waltz by Franz Liszt.

Anne and Kevin represented Fairfax Host Lions Club as they advanced to the Region III Bland Music Scholarship Competition held at Melodee Music Center; 46077 Lake Center Plaza; Sterling, Virginia on March 21, 2010, at 2:00pm.

Much of the success of this year’s Bland Music Scholarship Competition goes to our enthusiastic and reliable group of volunteers. This year’s volunteers included the following Fairfax Host Lions and Lion associates: Past District Governor Bill Bartlett, Sarah Bartlett, Jeff Root (Club President), Lion Elden Wright, Mary Ellen Wright, Lion Bill Trent, Margaret Trent, Lions Steve and Paew Haywood, Lion Tom Edick, Lion Pete Conklin, Lion Ken Schutz, Lion Jim Dellinger, Chuck Higdon and Marilyn Tanner (Bland Chairperson).

Saturday May 1, 2010 the Lion’s Sight and Hearing Van, driven by Lion Ralph Thompson, arrived at the George Mason University campus.  Sight and hearing screenings were done in conjunction with a hearing expo held by the Northern Virginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons.  They had many state-of-the-art devices for assisting those with hearing loss.

Lions  arrived at 9 in the morning to set up and started taking customers around 10. During the course of the day, we screened over a dozen people for sight and hearing.  There was even one individual referred for additional screening and hearing tests.

 The Lion’s present to help with this were Lion Bill Trent, Lion Steve Haywood,  Lion Paew Haywood,  Lion Charlie Raper and Jackie Raper.  It was a pleasant sunny day and everyone had a great time.   Lunch was provided by the NVRC

If Elden Wright were to submit a résumé, identifying all of his Lions club contributions, he would have the education and experience to qualify for any position within Lions Club International. Fortunately for us, he has chosen to be part of the Fairfax Host Lions Club workforce.

Elden came to work for FHLC in September of 1983 – nearly 27 years ago! A former Army officer with 28 years of active duty, Elden has carried out each of his Lions club assignments with a mission-oriented approach. His club work history is extensive – he says he “likes to make things happen.” Shortly after joining FHLC, Elden began organizing blood drives (an extension of his son’s Eagle Scout project). To date, this important community service project has yielded 2859 usable units of blood. Elden has also been the club’s eyeglass coordinator since 1994, providing approximately 40 pairs of free eyeglasses to needy people in our community each year. Elden says that he’s received the most personal satisfaction from being the Fruit Sale coordinator from 1994 – 2005. He streamlined the operation by reducing the number of annual sales (from 4 to 3) and simplified the citrus inventory (concentrating on oranges and grapefruit only). Under his leadership, annual fruit sale profit increased from $10,000-$17,000 to a high of over $21,000 on a consistent basis.

Elden served as FHLC president (1994-95) and was the District 24-A Cabinet Secretary (1997-98). He’s also been the president of the Virginia Lions Eye Institute since 1996. To date, he has sponsored 12 new club members. Through his dedicated efforts, Elden has earned the following awards and recognitions:

• Lion of the Year (1995-96)
• Melvin Jones Fellowship recognition (1997)
• LOVF Humanitarian Award (1999)
• Progressive Melvin Jones Fellowship recognition (2008)
• Life Member Lions Club International
• Life Member Lions of Virginia

According to Elden, the demographics of the club membership have changed over the years. When he joined the club, almost all the members were retired. However, today’s club has a large number of working members – “a very good thing”, in Elden’s opinion. His advice to new members is to “get involved in club activities – don’t sit on the sidelines.” Since joining the Fairfax Host Lions Club, Elden has been a self-starter, has accepted responsibility, and has demonstrated a can-do attitude. He’s produced positive results when it comes to fund raising and service to the community. In so many ways, he really has been the “Wright” Lion for the job!

We will be selling fresh Ruby Red Grapefruits and Valencia oranges straight from the farms of Florida, Vermont Maple Syrup, and Virginia Peanuts.  Entertainment books will also be available at the December Sale.  

Our doors are opened from 9am – 6pm Daily.  Find us at Fairfax Circle, along Old Lee Hwy, adjacent to Home Depot.

If you haven’t signed up for our notification list, please CLICK HERE so you will receive notification prior to each sale. You’ll also receive a coupon for $2.00 off each full box purchased!

With a full house of Lions and family, the new Board of Directors was inducted at the dinner meeting on June 15, 2010. PDG Bill Bartlett was our MC and had encouraging words for every position. Lion Gary Maxwell is our 2010-2011 King Lion.  He is a long-time Lion veteran of multiple clubs and has great leadership abilities which promise for an exciting year.  Our new Tail Twister, Lion Jay Kahn started the evening out with a bang.  Lion Suzanne Greenwalt was announced as the Lion of the Year and later appeared in the City of Fairfax Fourth of July Parade.  The new Board had it’s first meeting on June 27, 2010 and immediately started to brain storm about increasing membership.  

Lions Clubs across Virginia in conjunction with Lions of Virginia Foundation and Lions Club International Foundation have been working to support Prevent Blindness Mid-Atlantic’s Project: Construction “Sight”. Learn more about the History of Project Construction Sight here.

The Region III Bland Music Competition was held March 16, 2008, at the Melodee Music Center in Sterling, Virginia. There were seven vocal and seven instrumental contestants who were winners at earlier contests held at the club level. The sponsoring clubs were Annandale Lions Club, Fairfax Host Lions Club, Leesburg Host Lions Club, Lovettsville and Purcellville Lions Clubs (combined), Middleburg Lions Club, Reston Lions Club, and Sterling Lions Club. Fairfax Host Lions Club sponsored the competition and Lion Sid Jaffe from Annandale Lions Club was the Master of Ceremonies. The awards were presented by Lion Dennis Brining, Region III Chairman from Fairfax Host Lions Club.

Left to right: Lion Dennis Brining, Chairman, Region III; Hanbo Liu, Winner-Instrumental; Valerie Saba, Winner-Vocal; Kristina Hu, Runner-up-Instrumental; Christine Farrell, Runner-up – Vocal; Lion Sid Jaffe, Master of Ceremonies.

The winner of the vocal category was Valerie Saba, a 17-year old senior from South Lakes High School in Reston. She sang Laurie’s Song, composed by Aaron Copland. Valerie was sponsored by Reston Lions Club.

The runner-up in the vocal category was Christine Farrell, a 16-year old junior from Loudoun CountyHigh School. She sang Fly Away (Never, Never Land), by Scott Allen. Christine was sponsored by Leesburg Host Lions Club.

The winner in the instrumental category was Hanbo Liu. Hanbo is a 16-year old sophomore at FairfaxHigh School. He performed a piano solo entitled LaCampanella, written by Franz Liszt. Hanbo was sponsored by Fairfax Host Lions Club.

The runner-up in the instrumental category was Kristina Hu, a 13-year old seventh grader from Longfellow Middle School who was sponsored by Annandale Lions Club. Her selection for piano solo was entitled Jeax d`eau and was composed by Maurice Ravel.

The winners of the Region III competition will progress to the District 24-A contest which is scheduled for April 11, at 7:30 PM in the Lyceum in Old Town Alexandria. The winners of the District competition will progress to the State Finals in Bristol, Virginia on May 16 at 7:30 PM.

The Fairfax Lions Holiday Food Basket Program was again a great success this Lion year. The need to assist families was greater than ever before, because of the state of our economy and the increasing cost of living in the Fairfax area. Fairfax Lions delivered food to 110 struggling families. 40 were delivered just before Thanksgiving, 40 again just prior to Christmas, and additional 30 were delivered for the Easter Holiday. (See Delivery Lions Honor Role for the many delivery Lions and Leo’s who were part of this great effort).

In addition, the Fairfax Lions were assisted by the Oakton H. S. Leo Club, and the Thomas Jefferson HS. These clubs are made up of dedicated High School students who have banned together, similar to Lions, to provide community support in the Fairfax area. Both Leo clubs joined in, with Lions, to deliver food to families in and around the city of Fairfax.

A special thanks to the Leo’s, it is great to have them work with us.

Fairfax Host requested names from “Our Daily Bread”, who in turn worked with the Fairfax County Office of Systems Management for Human Services to identify, screen and authenticate the recipient names provided. This assured us our recipient families were people truly in need.

Funds for the food purchases for this program resulted through the Fairfax Lions fund raising efforts throughout the year. This included, the Lion Vehicle Donation Program, Lion Citrus Food Sales, summer Food Booth sales, the sale of Entertainment Books and other Lion activity designed to raise money which is then returned to the community in many varied services.

In addition to the above, the Lockheed Martin Corporation supported the program by providing a very large donation of food for our Thanksgiving delivery.

The Safeway Corporation made a significant dollar donation towards our Food purchase at Christmas.

Delivery Honor Role

Lions: Ron Weber, Eve Bierman, Ben Wiles, Jim Dellinger, Tom Edick, Jim Kaplan, Walter Juraszek, Darrell Dalkin, Ed Smith, Russ Preuit, Phil Mayo, Carl Enix, Jim Davis, Bob Helland, Pete Bennett, Joe Giroux, Chan Medwedeff, Marilyn Tanner, Gary Maxwell, Mike Rumberg, Ken Schutz, Jeff Root, Ron Zabel, Frank Teets, Dick Ferraro, Tom Ashford, Ed Marinich

Leos: Danielle DeRosa, Claire Mathews, April O’Brien, Danielle Filipponi, Charlotte Martin, Maley Nordberg, Blaire Hu