Dover, Rollinsford and South Berwick Lions Make a Difference

The Dover, Rollinsford and South Berwick (DRSB) Lions Club has been busy serving the community this October, focusing on two important initiatives: protecting children’s vision and reducing plastic waste through recycling. Both programs demonstrate how local volunteers can make a lasting difference in the health of our children and the well-being of our environment.
Helping Children See a Brighter Future
In just four days, DRSB Lions Club members screened 1,187 children at four area elementary schools, helping identify students who may need further evaluation of their eyesight. Using a state-of-the-art screening device, Lions can assess potential vision problems in seconds and identify children who should follow up with an eye care professional.
Of the children screened, 86 were flagged for follow-up care. Notably, approximately 25% of those flagged children were already wearing corrective lenses, suggesting their prescriptions may need to be updated.
Even more encouraging is the trend over time. When the Lions first began their vision screening efforts, approximately 15% of children screened were flagged for follow-up care. That rate has now dropped to about 7%.
This decline is encouraging and may reflect the benefits of identifying vision problems early and helping children receive appropriate care. Undetected vision difficulties can affect reading, classroom participation, academic performance, and a child’s confidence in learning. By bringing screenings directly to schools, Lions help connect children with the care they need before vision problems become barriers to success.
The screenings are quick, but their potential impact is significant. And while helping children see more clearly is serious business, Lions members also enjoyed meeting the students, sharing smiles, and handing out plenty of high fives along the way!
Turning Plastic Waste into Lasting Community Benefits
Protecting the environment is another important priority for the DRSB Lions Club. Members continue to collect eligible plastic film and other accepted materials through the Trex NexTrex® recycling challenge, helping divert waste from landfills and giving these materials a second life.
Keeping plastic out of landfills is critical. Through this initiative, collected materials can be repurposed into durable composite products, including beautiful park benches that have been donated throughout the community. What might otherwise become waste is transformed into a useful, long-lasting community resource.
You can help, too! The program depends on community participation and volunteers. If you're already heading to the transfer station, why not bring along a clean bag of eligible plastic recycling and drop it off at our designated collection location? Every bag helps keep plastic out of landfills and moves us closer to our recycling goals.
Interested in volunteering or learning which plastics are accepted? Reach out to the DRSB Lions Club to find out how you can get involved. A small effort can make a big difference!
Service That Makes a Difference
Whether helping children access the vision care they need or keeping reusable materials out of landfills, the DRSB Lions Club is committed to improving lives and protecting our shared environment.
These programs reflect the Lions’ spirit of service: identifying community needs, bringing people together, and taking practical action to create a healthier, stronger community for everyone.
Want to make a difference? Contact the DRSB Lions Club to learn more about its community service programs and volunteer opportunities. Together, we can help children see a brighter future and build a cleaner environment for generations to come.

To learn more about the DRSB Lions Club and its community service projects, or to find out how you can get involved, contact the club at lionsdrsb@gmail.com or attend an upcoming meeting.

The Lions Club of Dover, Rollinsford and South Berwick is a member of the Lions Club International, which began in 1917.  Their motto is “We Serve.”  The club gathers bi- monthly to find ways to improve their community.  Meetings are held on the 1^st and 3^rd Wednesday of each month, 5:30 at Cara Irish Pub in Dover, NH
 
For more information about the Dover, Rollinsford, South Berwick Lions Club, visit https://www.facebook.com/DRSBLionsClub

Pictured: Lions Club members Stefany Pike, June Pinkham, John Symington and Catherine Allen