Hickory – Do you know any legally blind and/or visually impaired adults that likes to play Putt Putt Golf? Perhaps, you know children and adults who is legally blind and/or visually impaired who would benefit from contacting the NC Division of Services For The Blind? If you said “Yes” to either of these questions, then you are indeed fortunate.

The West Hickory VIP Lions Club’s Putt Putt Tournament on Saturday, September 28th @ Putt Putt Fun Center, located at 553 7th Avenue, SW in Hickory. Registration begins at 8:30 A.M. Admission fee is $5.00. The West Hickory VIP Lions Club Tournament will be held at 9:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. Proceeds will benefit NC Lions Brighter Vision Campaign. There will be two categories for entrants- Totally and Legally Blind. First and second place awards will be in each category. The Putt Putt Concession Stand will be selling hot dogs, snacks and soft drinks. For directions to Putt Putt Fun Center, please call 828-327-2316.

According to NC Division of Services For The Blind, the distinction between legal blindness, and visually impaired are as follows: Legal Blindness- involves visual acuity of 20/200 or less in both eyes, best corrected, or field vision ( peripheral vision) of no more than 20 degrees in both eyes. Visual Impairment- best corrected visual acuity of 20/70 or less in both eyes, or a 30 degree field limitation in both eyes. Individuals who have a chronic, progressive eye pathology but have better than 20/70 visual acuity, may also qualify for some NC DSB services. If you are blind/visually impaired Catawba County resident, then you should contact Greg Morgan, Catawba County Social Worker For The Blind, NC Division of Services For The Blind, at 828-695-5875 or e-mail: [email protected]. If you and/or a family member is blind/visually impaired living in other NC Counties, then you can locate your county’s social worker for the blind through the NC Division of Services For The Blind website- http://www.ncdhhs.gov/assistance/vision-loss/social-workers-blind

Who are the Lions? Where There Is A Need… There’s a Lions Club. When it comes to meeting the challenges, Lions Club International response and motto are “WE SERVE”. Founded in 1917, Lions Club International, the world’s largest coeducational service organization, has over 1.4 million members in over 47,000 clubs in 210 countries and geographic areas throughout the world. In 1925, Helen Keller attended the Lions Clubs International Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, USA and challenged Lions to become “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” Since then Lions from across the globe have worked tirelessly to aid the blind and visually impaired.

Who Are The West Hickory VIP Lions Club?

When West Hickory VIP Lions Club was chartered on July 24.2004 specifically for blind/visually impaired, they became the first Lions club of its kind in the country. Members from the Conover and Hickory Lions clubs sponsored their formation. Their members take an active part in being advocates for others with visual impairments. Today, their membership included visually impaired and sighted men and women. Their projects include raffles, handmade items, auctions, participation in Belk’s Charity Days, yard sales, and church dinners. Several of their members annually look forward to attending NC Lions Visually Impaired Fishing Tournament @ the Outer Banks and Camp Dogwood. The West Hickory VIP Lions Club meets the 2nd Friday of each month at West Hickory Senior Center.

For more about the West Hickory VIP Lions Club Putt Putt Golf Tournament, please call Mary @ 828-310-8976.