Algonac Lions launch KidSight vision program

Lion Suezette Minder worked tirelessly on project

By Barb Pert Templeton

When Suezette (Stone) Minder was growing up in Algonac she recalls looking forward to helping others through the local Lions Club. Well, until her mom explained that her joining the club, whose membership was limited to men, wasn’t very likely.

“I was helped as a kid through the Lions Club and so I wanted to do that too but my mom said no,” Minder recalled. “Well, I joined the Algonac Club two years ago and when I got my pin I just came home and thought ‘see mom, I did it.”

After joining the group, which includes more than 75 men and women today, she discovered they had to borrow a camera and trailer in order to do the KidSight Vision Program in the local area. Shortly thereafter she decided to make getting the equipment for the Algonac Lions her personal pursuit.

The Lions KidSight program provides vision screenings that are fast, touchless and free for those ages six months to 18.

“I love children and I really love working with the kids so I just thought I’m going to get us a camera; then I saw the price,” Minder said.

Realizing the equipment was going to cost several thousand dollars, Minder said she began planning fundraisers and collecting donations. In what seemed like no time, she reached her goal.

“We got some huge donations and really, everyone, including other clubs (Lions) have been so helpful to me on this,” Minder said.

After contacting Vision Plus Optical in Texas, Minder said she was able to purchase the KidSight Camera and setup a schedule for training other members of the Algonac Lions Club. While she finished her own training last year Minder said she’ll be joining her friends at an upcoming session just to refresh everything for use with the club’s new camera system.

“The camera is so easy to operate, it does the work itself,” Minder said. “You really just have the kids look at the funny face on the outside of the camera and you take the photo and it provides all the information that you need.”

Having the camera in place at events, often with colorful backgrounds, takes the worry away from shoving children in front of a big clunky machine for the exams.

“This is so nice because it keeps kids coming out to be tested because it’s non-invasive and not scary and for parents, it’s free,” Minder explained.

She speaks from experience noting that her sixth grade teacher realized she was having some vision challenges in the classroom and she was tested and given new glasses.

“I remember that big old machine and it frightened me so I’m hoping to save kids today from that hassle,” Minder said.

In addition to the new KidSight Camera, Minder is also thrilled to report that she also managed to get a trailer for use with the system. A local gentleman gave the club “an amazing” price on a used trailer and it’s almost ready to roll.

“My daughter is coming over tomorrow to paint a mural on the walls, colorful with animals wearing glasses,” Minder said. “It’s going to be so cute.”

Once the trailer is complete the Lions Club will begin offering KidSight at venues throughout the area including craft shows and community events. Minder said they recently provided service to 40 children at Halloween in the Nac’, which took place in Algonac.

“There was a lady who came up and said she was so thankful for this camera because her child had a tumor behind her eye and it was caught pretty early,” Minder said.

Considering that just a few years ago being a Lion’s Club member seemed out of reach and now she’s got a whole program in place for kids has Minder appreciating both the opportunity and those who made it happen.

“You ask this community to do something and they come fourth with a vengeance,” she said.

To keep up with the Algonac Lions KidSight Program visit their Facebook Page at Algonac Lions.