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Jack Romano from the Midland Park Lions Club addressed our meeting today
 
The Lions organization was founded in 1961.  Their motto and motivation is very similar to our Rotary goals, with their message being "We serve “ and their goal of creating understanding
Jack provided insight into one of their key focuses which is around helping people with sight challenges.  One example for his club is their support of the Seeing Eye in Morristown which trains dogs to be the guide dogs for the blind.
 
Surprisingly it takes $70k to train a seeing eye dog.  The cost is only $100 to the blind person
A dog can only function in this way for 7-10 years and then the person needs a replacement dog.
 
One of the fund raisers they use is to enter a lottery to choose the name of a dog for $1.  They raise $5,000 to get the right to name a dog.
 
Another initiative is the recycling of glasses to people that need them but cannot afford them.  There is a drop off location in the Midland Park Library if you have any old glasses you can donate.
 
Their club leverages young people for many of the activities.  A sign of our synergy is that the Rotary Interact Club from Midland Park school help out at some of the Lions clubs initiatives.
There are 1.35 million members worldwide and 45,000 clubs globally.
 
If you would like to support the Seeing Eye initiatives, there is a fund raising event this week at 3 Chicas in Wyckoff, hosted by our own Lee Parker, rotarian and owner of 3 Chicas.  Come on down and support a great cause.
 
We were happy to get the updates from Jack and encourage anyone in Midland Park and Wyckoff to get involved in your community.  There is plenty of work to be done and we need you.
 
Jack Romano, Midland Park Lions Club with Emmy Elliya, President Wyckoff-Midland Park Rotary