'Lionism' alive and well in West Park

Members of Lions Clubs International have been busy looking after the needs in local communities since its founding in 1917. The organization's focus on sight conservation began after the organization's international conference at Cedar point, Ohio in 1925, where Helen Keller challenged the group to be "Knights of the Blind."

Since that time, Lions Clubs across the globe have looked to the needs of the sight impaired, heading up projects that include Lions World Services for the Blind, Special Olympics Opening Eyes, Sight for Kids, and the Childhood Blindness Project.

The Dexter Lions Club, headed up currently by retired teacher, Larry Louder, has consistently been supportive of the local community, offering annual college scholarships to local high school graduates and annually giving to several charities in Stoddard County. The local organization is called upon periodically as well to help fund prescription glasses for children in the local school system whose parents cannot afford the cost of a visit to the optometrist and a new pair of glasses.

"Sight is number one within the organization," Louder says. "We have an ongoing collection site in Dexter for unwanted eyeglasses of any kind."

That collection site is near the downtown area of Walnut Street at the offices of Dr. Jennifer Howard.

Many of the glasses deposited locally are sent to Columbia, Mo., where they are tested for prescription strength, sized, and labeled for shipment to third world countries for distribution to children who would otherwise never come to realize the gift of proper sight.

Recently the presence of Lions in the area became just a bit more evident with the placement of a bigger than life-size lion water fountain at West City Park.

The giant fountain, which is handicap accessible, is located at the south end of the park with a sidewalk leading off the park's oval walking track. The fountain was ordered by the local group in January and arrived in late May.

"The City of Dexter's Parks and Recreation Department worked to get this installed for us, and we appreciate all their efforts," Louder noted.

With temperatures threatening to climb into the triple digits this week, the new addition to the park is already a big hit with thirsty youngsters on the playground and avid walkers on the park's track.

The local Lions have a motto that goes, "If it isn't fun, it isn't Lionism." Proof of that theory now sits for the public to enjoy at West City Park.

"We look for the fountain to be in place for generations to come," said Louder. "It serves as a reminder that the Lions Club is always here to serve the community."