Gridley Lions 4^th July Fireworks booth

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) - Each year firework giant TNT partner with local nonprofits to help them raise money, but the Gridley Lions International Club takes it even farther. For over 10 years, the Lions have been manning the fireworks booth, selling sparking, squealing joy to 4th of July revelers while furthering their mission to do-good. Lion Mike Dalh stresses “every dollar made has to go to the community,” and it does so in the form of donations, scholarships, graffiti removal, vision tests and more.

The yellow and blue vests are a fixture at Gridley events like Red Suspenders Days, Christmas in July, the Kids Fishing Day, Winter Wonderland Parade of Lights and Butte County Fair. Those events are just a small fraction of what the Lions International Club is involved with and all about.

The Lions Club International was founded in 1917 and is best known for their efforts in fighting blindness. At an international level, the Lions work towards their mission of providing vision for all through their SightFirst Program. Locally, our Gridley Lions conduct free vision screenings at Gridley, Biggs and Manzanita schools. Specially trained Lions Club volunteers administer screening test that can catch vision abnormalities, generate a printout detailing the visual deficiency and get much needed referrals to optometrists started. Recently, the Lions held a screening at Kindergarten Round-Up and out of 120 Children, approximately 34 referrals were made. In the event that the families of children cannot afford the cost of an optometrist visit or prescription glasses, the Lions step up and cover the costs. In addition to the screenings, Lions collect old or unused eyeglasses and send them down to distribution center in the Vallejo area to be refurbished. The glasses are sorted and the frames are fitted with prescription lenses to be given to vision impaired people in need. 

What started as a mission to eradicate blindness has grown to include hearing awareness, diabetes education and support, and overall health advocacy. The Health Fair at Orchard Hospital has been a past project of the group and will continue to be a part of its future. The Lions are constantly looking for opportunities to be of service and a glance at its monthly roster will show at least 10 separate events where the club has been actively volunteering and giving back to our community. 

If you would like to donate unneeded eyewear please do so to Advanced Eyecare at 235 Spruce Street in Gridley or to any local Lion member. If you are in need of the Lions graffiti removal services, please contact Gridley-Biggs Police Department to report the location and the Lions will be dispatched.