Lions In Sight at Avenal Prison
This is an open letter to Lions District 4-A3 from Lion PDG Jeff Roundy.
Warden James Hartley, PID Bill Iannaccone, Rod Braly, PDG Jeff Roundy
Our Lions in Sight at Avenal prison eyeglass recycling program was officially "launched" on July 31st. The program began when PID Bill Iannaccone, COO of Lions in Sight, made a presentation at our district meeting in Cayucos in November 2006, and I challenged the lions of 4A3 to raise $10,000 to "seed" the program which they did in the following six months. The success of this project has hinged on the approval & support of Rod Braly, principal of the prison school. Braly has since become a lion in the Templeton club, and has recruited two additional prison staff members! The long delay in getting started has been due to my lack of experience in learning the "do's & don'ts" of the grant application process with LCIF, which is now finally coming to a close. On July 31st, PID Iannaccone & lion Carl Langhorst drove down from Walnut Creek with a load of equipment & supplies, and lions Alba Orr from San Diego & lion Carl provided the training for the inmates. Lion Lillette Quesnoy from Visalia was there representing district 4A2 which has now partnered with us to provide the volume of glasses needed for the program to be successful. The funds that were raised have helped LIS purchase three Tomey lensometers which calibrate the eyeglasses, three ultrasonic cleaners for cleaning & sterilizing, plastic bins & bags for shipping & receiving, & other miscellaneous materials.
(l to r) Warden Hartley, Alba Orr, PID Iannaccone, Lillette Quesnoy, Carl Langhorst, Rod Braly, Sandy Greenberg, PDG Jeff Roundy, Ole Viborg
This is truly a life-changing experience for the inmates & staff involved, and the lions of 4A3 should be very proud to have made this vision become a reality. Through the years, tens of thousands of vision-impaired recipients of these glasses around the world will benefit. Thanks to all!
PDG Jeff Roundy
cell: 805-701-0653
Alba Orr & inmate at Tomey lensometer
Inmates cleaning glasses
Banner presented by Dr. Iannaccone to prison for permanent display
Bins & supplies