Lions Assocation of Sight & Hearing of MD

Lions Association for Sight & Hearing

The Lions Association for Sight and Hearing (LASH) of Maryland, Inc. was created and is funded by the Lions Clubs of District 22-A, with the purpose of promoting sight and hearing conservation.

The predecessor of LASH, District 22-A Sight Foundation, was born on April 3, 1962 when Thomas B. Stone ((Woodlawn) as the first President, and Sidney T. Shores (Annapolis) and Frank G. Buell (Ellicott City) executed the certificate bringing it into existence. The name and purposes of the original Sight Foundation changed twice during the next 19 years to the Maryland Sight Conservation Association and then to the Sight Association of Maryland Lions Inc. (SAM). In 1981, the foundation's Constitution and By-Laws were revised and its name was again changed to the Lions Association for Sight and Hearing (LASH). This last change reflected the need to provide services for the hearing impaired, as well as the blind.

The purpose of LASH is to provide an administrative body which will conduct, foster and/or support projects and programs associated with the preservation and restoration of sight and hearing.

Current active LASH projects include: hosting a Fall and Spring Eye Glass Sorting for recycling used eyeglasses and hearing aids; sponsoring Hometown Day with LensCrafters Stores in December for those who need eye exams and glasses; helping club-sponsored individuals obtain hearing exams and hearing aids at minimum costs; and providing financial help for those who need sight and hearing assistance.

LASH is supported financially from Lions clubs' contributions. Each year, Lions and Lioness clubs within District 22-A are asked to make contributions. LASH also derives monies from fundraisers which it sponsors and from individual contributions . Contributions to LASH are tax deductible and financial support is not restricted to Lions Clubs. Individuals, industry and commerce are most welcomed to provide contributions to further the activities and services provided by LASH.

Affordable Hearing Aid Program Back

Dear Lions of District 22-A,

I am happy to announce a new program of Lions Clubs International Foundation.

LCIF has affordable, high-quality hearing aids available to Lions clubs in the United States for low-income members of the their communities. The two types of digital hearing aids from Rexton, Inc. can be purchased for $200 per aid from the Lions Affordable Hearing Aid Project (Lions AHAP).

Ninety-five percent of individuals with hearing loss can be successfully treated with hearing aids yet 30 percent are unable to afford hearing aids. Seven million people in the U.S. cannot afford to purchase hearing aids. In 2005, the average cost of a hearing aid was $1,900, and most people need two hearing aids. Hearing is critical to communication, so when there is even a minimal loss, it affects all aspects of a person’s life. For example, people with untreated hearing loss make an estimated 50% to 70% less in wages than their hearing peers.

The two types of aids offer Lions clubs the opportunity to help with almost any type of hearing loss. Reducing communication breakdown for one person creates a ripple effect that touches everyone in the community. And, based on feedback from the program so far, many clubs are revitalized and often recruit new members committed to the new service.

Please consider participating in this program. To learn more about Lions AHAP, please visit http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/content/lcif_gr_ahap.shtml or contact the office at 630-571-5466, ext. 615. The e-mail address is LionsAHAP@lionsclubs.org.