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Look who’s got new eyeglasses…

On January 15th, 2010, DeAnza Lions Kathy and Kerry took 2 middle school age students to LensCrafters® at the Westgate Shopping Center (San Jose) for an eye examination and prescription of eyeglasses, sponsored by DeAnza Lions Club. When the lion ladies arrived at the school to pick up the kids, they were warmly greeted by the office staff, thanking them for helping these children. The sensitive and professional optometrist at LensCrafters® also expressed her gratitude to the lions and the DeAnza Lions club for reaching out and getting involved.

Both the kids that Lions Kathy and Kerry met were extremely polite, excited and grateful for the help our club provided. The girl did not stop smiling the entire time. Her brother received his glasses immediately, while the girl had to wait a few more days. Lions Kathy and Kerry again took the time to take her back to LensCrafters®.
Needless to say that both lions received a huge hug from the kids.

Lions Kerry and Kathy, together with the DeAnza Lions Club thank LensCrafters® for their professional and sensitive help

DeAnza Lions get hearing aids for students

January 10, 2010

Esther Halwani, a counselor at DeAnza College Special Education Division, had a hearing-impaired student that needed new hearing aides. Abit Baral, a 19 year old exchange student from Nepal, had difficulties following his classes because his hearing was severely impaired. Esther Halwani located information on the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) website about the Lions “Affordable Hearing Aid Project” and contacted the organization. LCIF referred her to the Cupertino DeAnza Lions Club.

Lion Ray Lancon, DeAnza Lions Club president, mentioned the case in one of the weekly meetings. Lion Kathy Golkar volunteered to work with Esther and her student. Together they filled out the required application documents in February 2009.

After it was determined that the student met the qualifications, the DeAnza club agreed to purchase two Rexton Targa 3 P digital heating aides, to be worn behind the ears, at a total cost of $ 400.00. Bill Forrest at Sears Hearing Aid Center located in the Cupertino Square Mall provided his services pro- bono, which included making the ear molds and programming the hearing aides.

Abit received his hearing aides beginning of April 2009. Both, Abit and Esther, attended one of our monthly meetings in September 2009 to thank our club for purchasing and donating the hearing aides. Abit said that he is doing well in school and is able to participate in group discussions. Esther stated the transformation in his self-confidence was amazing. She went on to say that prior to getting the hearing aides, he did not smile much or socialize with other students. Abit added: “I had no idea my room mate plays his radio at night when he went to bed”.

Abit continues to do well in school and hopes to transfer to Cal-Poly to study engineering.

DeAnza Lions at the 2009 San Jose Christmas Holiday Parade

Members of the De Anza Lions joined forces with Lions clubs from around the area in the always fun annual “San Jose Holiday Parade”. This year we tethered a large helium balloon of the PBS cartoon character “Arthur” down the parade route. Arthur’s eye glasses, book and backpack symbolize programs supported by local and international Lions clubs. Dressed in yellow Lions jackets, caps and yellow holiday scarves, the entourage of Lions proudly represented Lionism to the thousands of families who lined Santa Clara and First Streets, warmly applauding the service of the Lions as we passed, and to the viewers of KNTV-NBC that televised the parade. Some 125,000 people are estimated to have watched it. A number of our club members’ smiling faces was featured in the broadcast.

The San Jose Holiday Parade is considered one of the top 25 parades in the nation and is annually sponsored by Lions clubs in the San Jose area. This year’s Honorary Grand Marshall was Kristi Yamaguchi and the Grand Marshall was Santa Goofy from the Disneyland Resort.

Prior to the parade Lions from the participating clubs met at the balloon staging area off Santa Clara Street for a fun social hour including hot toddies and donuts. The warmth of Lionism was particularly welcome this year due to an unusually crisp morning. Following the parade, members of our club helped man the A.J. Robinson Health screening unit providing free diabetes screenings to many who watched the parade.

[report by Lion Kent Vincent]