The original mobile sight and hearing
screening van project was started by the Newport News Warwick Lions
Club in 1977, and was a 27 foot Winnebago motor home costing
approximately $30,000.00. After a serious single vehicle
accident, it was donated to the Eastern Virginia Lions Eye Bank and
was completely rebuilt and restructured as a medical screening health
van at an approximate cost of $70,000. In the first year
under Eye Bank control, 41 Lions Clubs in District 24-D utilized the
services of the van. The unit was turned over to District 24-D
in 1993 and a separate corporation was formed to manage the unit.
After over 19 years of heavy usage, the van was becoming
extremely difficult and expensive to operate. Under District
Governor Jim Oglesby, a major fund raising effort was started. Over
$160,000 was collected by Lions Clubs, corporations and a $75,000
grant from Lions Clubs International Foundation. The new
$160,000 unit shown here was purchased and dedicated. In 1996,
the name of the corporation was changed to "Lions Mobile Sight
and Hearing Unit of District 24-D." The corporation has
since amended its constitution and bylaws, and is organized
exclusively for charitable educational, religious or scientific
purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code thus making contributions to this organization tax
deductible. The mission of the corporation is to "operate
and maintain, for the benefit of the public generally, without charge,
a mobile unit to conduct screening tests to assist in early detection
of sight and hearing defects." Membership in the
corporation consists of Lions Clubs or Club members in District 24-D
in good standing. All such clubs are entitled to full voting
rights in the corporation. Land has been purchased and an
immediate goal has been established to erect a storage facility on
this site.
Unit Description and Usage Rules
The new sight and hearing unit
is 38 feet long, 10 feet wide and nearly 12 feet high. It is the
biggest vehicle built by Winnebago and was specially constructed for
this use. Self contained power is available or it can use
external power. The unit is air conditioned throughout. It
is equipped with state of the art vision and hearing screening devices
capable of easily being used by Lions operating the unit. There
are two visual, two hearing acuity, and two glaucoma testing stations. Space
is also provided for use by nurses performing diabetic or other
screening. Special drivers are assigned to move the unit to the
screening location. Clubs or other organizations are requested
to contribute $125 per day plus 50 cents per mile to the corporation
whenever the van is used. These funds are used for operation,
maintenance and insurance.
Contact Lion Marlin Stockdill
757-587-1334
