People are seeing the effects of community togetherness all over as the Apison and Ringgold areas begin to rebuild, but some people can't see for lack of proper vision-wear. The Lions Club of Ooltewah-Collegedale encourages the community to stop by Walmart in Collegedale May 13 for its first fundraiser to help locals in need purchase glasses.
Ooltewah-Collegedale Lions like Trudie Kuka, Tim Johnson and club president Frank Chamberlain, from left, will hold their first fundraiser May 13 to raise money for sight-related needs in the community."The money stays here; it will help within our community," said Trudie Kuka, a member of the year-and-a-half old local club. "We could set this money aside for people who recently suffered storm damage to help them if glasses were lost in the tornado that came through."
She said she realizes there are a lot of financial needs right now, but she hopes to see at least $500 to $1,000 collected at the 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. event. In addition to drop-off donations, money will be raised through pizza sales. For $20, citizens can choose from a varying selection of four pizzas out of about six or seven Schwan's options, said Kuka.
"I think because we are local - our membership is based with folks active in Ooltewah, Collegedale; we live within this community - and because we want to give back to Ooltewah, Collegedale for people who might have any vision issue," she said of the reasons she hopes people will donate.
All money raised will go toward such charitable work, she stressed.
Kuka said there is definitely a need in the area for the types of vision-related services Lions Club International strives to provide. The local club is working on a program to begin offering vision screening at area schools, according to Kuka. She said the club also hopes to raise enough funds in the future to offer cataract surgery to deserving locals.
The club meets the first and third Tuesday of each month at Greenbriar Cove from 6 to about 7:30 p.m. and welcomes any interested members. To get involved in the club or the fundraiser, contact Kuka at 240-9060 or Mayor John Turner at 238-6100. Donations can also be mailed to PO Box 491, Ooltewah, TN 37363.