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Helen Keller's Speech
White Cane Day History
Northwest Lions Foundation
for Sight & Hearing
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WHITE CANE DAYS
KNIGHTS OF THE BLIND In 1925, Helen Keller addressed our International Convention. She concluded her speech with this challenge:
"The opportunity I bring to you, Lions, is this: To foster and sponsor the work of the American Foundation for the Blind. Will you not help me hasten the day when there shall be no preventable blindness; no little deaf, blind child untaught; no blind man or woman unaided? I appeal to you Lions, you who have your sight, your hearing, you who are strong and brave and kind. Will you not constitute yourselves Knights of the Blind in this crusade against darkness?"
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NORTHWEST LIONS FOUNDATION FOR SIGHT AND HEARING With the fullness of time, we have developed numerous local, regional and international programs that prevent blindness, reverse blindness, and help millions whose vision is impaired to see with greater clarity. Here in Washington, we Lions created the Northwest Lions Foundation for Sight & Hearing and founded one of the premier Eye Banks in the world. The Foundation, through a partnership with Lens Crafters, makes it possible for Lions Clubs to provide eye exams and new glasses to the needy in their communities. We also help fund eye operations for the needy and operate a free mobile sight screening unit.
WHITE CANE DAYS To pay for these sight services, we have to raise funds from our communities. In 1930, the Lions Club in Peoria, Illinois, invented the white cane with a red band as a means of assisting the blind. This invention has spread all around the world and is the inspiration for our White Cane Days, when we pass out miniature white canes and solicit donations to support our Foundation for Sight and Hearing.
THE BALANCE SHEET Every cent we collect during White Cane Days is spent for vision care in our community. In Lion year 2007/2008 we raised $2,100 during White Cane Days and spent $2,900 on exams and glasses for the needy here in Bellingham. We also gave $2,000 to the Foundation and brought the Lions mobile vision screening unit to Bellingham to provide free eye exams and screening for diabetes. Although White Cane Days does not pay for all of our sight work, it helps a great deal ... and it raises the awareness in our community regarding sight and vision needs.
A MILLION STORIES
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