MAGNIFYING THE QUALITY OF LIFE

Reported by Lions Joe Serafini and Terry Anderson

During the month of February, the Freeport Lions Club received a request for a magnifying reader for Katherine M. Simler, a rural Freeport woman with a low-vison condition. The request was recommended by the Center for Sight and Hearing in Rockford IL. Because our club already had 4 machines loaned out and none to spare, the club’s board of directors voted to approve the purchase of a new digital DaVinci Magnifier/Reader.

On February 29^th Lions Terry Anderson and Joe Serafini delivered the machine, set it up, did a trial run, and explained how it worked.  It was literally a shining light for Kathy as she was able to see and read once again, and the smile on her husband David Simler's face was very much equal to hers. Mrs. Simler is a relative of Freeport Lion David Marcum, so it was especially nice to be able to help someone truly “close to home”.

Kathy and David Simler were so thankful for the Lions’ help that they donated a check for $100.00 to our club! 

This is a true story about “Mission Accomplished”, and further supports that we, as Lion's, can proudly say: "WE SERVE".

Kathy Simler checks out a magazine recipe with the help of her new magnifying reader from Freeport Lions Club.

Children's Hands-on Museum

February 9, 2016, Guest Speaker

Reported by Lion Liz Moshure

On February 9^th, 2016, the Freeport Lions Club meeting hosted guest speaker Shirley Jordan from the Children's Hands On Museum of NW Illinois. While many extracurricular, hands-on learning opportunities exist for children in larger cities, there are only a few in Freeport that give children experiences they often don’t get at school, activities that revolve around learning something practical while having fun.

The mission statement for the Children’s Hands On Museum or CHOM states: To provide all children with interactive, educational experiences in Science, Health, Arts, Reading and Place Sense that are locally accessible and affordable.

Ms. Jordan’s excellent presentation allowed us to see photos of some of the creative hands-on items that have been created by young local talent, and the displays that travel with her and others who run the program.

This light box allows children to view a picture of an animal alongside a picture of the skeleton. (Photo courtesy of CHOM Facebook page)

She informed us that they received official tax-exempt 501(c)(3) status with the IRS in December 2014, and that their organization is still looking for a permanent location.

Their October 2015 4-day expo at the Freeport Eagles Club allowed more than 800 visitors to see what CHOM has to offer.

CHOM is looking for donations, mainly money for insurances and other overhead fees, down the road rent costs, and so forth. Donations to CHOM are tax-free.

They are also asking organizations (such as Lions Clubs) to donate to an exhibit if wanted.

Club President Bert Kersten thanks guest speaker Shirley Jordan for her presentation with a Lions Club pen

More CHOM info can be found on Facebook at the following link:  

https://www.facebook.com/Future-of-Freeport-Childrens-Museum-485246671529336/?fref=ts