WESTFIELD-Westfield Centennial Lions Club members are hopeful they will raise enough funds during a doubleheader golf tournament on Oct. 24, allowing them to purchase a Welch Allyn handheld, portable spot vision screener.
“The eye spot checker quickly and effectively gives an eye test to see if someone needs glasses, if they are wearing a correct prescription of glasses/contacts, or if they have any other eye complications,” said Lions president Kyle Pierce.
The cost of the technology ranges in price from $8,000 to $10,000, according to Pierce.
“We will be using our spot check machine in the local schools and at local events, giving everyone a quick scan to determine their eye health,” he said.
The Westfield Centennial Lions Club hopes to raise enough money during its annual fall tournament to purchase a WelchAllyn eye spot checker. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Pierce added the technology is “especially effective on younger and handicapped children as it simply scans the eyes quickly and can diagnose any issues.”
The Welch Allyn website notes the screener can provide “spot accuracy” for nearsightedness, farsightedness, blurred vision, unequal refractive power, eye misalignment, and unequal pupil size.
East Mountain Country Club will be the setting for the fourth annual tournament which features a 3:30 p.m. start time for the front 9 and a “glow time” for the back 9 starting at 6:30 p.m. Registration begins at 2:30 p.m.
“We are expanding on our normal glow golf tournament, half of this will be played during the day with a break and food, then the rest will be played after with the course lit up and using glow golf balls,” said Pierce.
Pierce noted that tournament organizers expect to use a “substantial” amount of glow sticks, lights and “hopefully the moon” to light the way for golfers.
The cost to participate in the fundraiser is $100 per person and includes golf, cart and food offerings. Pierce added “teams and singles are welcome.”
“We are calling this tournament our doubleheader so it is baseball themed,” said Pierce, adding, “We will be offering hamburgers and hot dogs as well as your typical ballgame foods.”
As part of the festivities, raffles prizes will be displayed and there is still time for businesses and individuals to donate a raffle prize to the event.
“Raffle prizes and donations are welcomed,” said Pierce, noting the best way to reach out to organizers for the quickest response is through its Facebook page.
Currently, a variety of gift cards to local restaurants have been donated as well as several wine baskets.
For more information or to sign up to play, contact Karly Grimaldi via email to [email protected] or connect through the Westfield Centennial Lions Club Facebook page to leave a message.
While the pandemic has made it difficult for Lions Club members to meet this year, Pierce is also hopeful that 2021 will bring new members to the organization which consistently supports the community in a variety of charitable ways. In the past few months, club members made cash donations to the Westfield Food Pantry and Our House.
“We are hoping to get some new members and some new ideas for the upcoming year,” said Pierce, adding, “You can reach out to us on Facebook for more information and to join the club.”
