The world is a more colorful place for two Benton Elementary School students thanks to the Lions Club and Marshall County Preschool/Headstart.
Brothers Aaron, 9, and Brisen, 4, have lived with color blindness most of their lives. Grandmother Patty Pace said for years she has wanted to provide the boys with EnChroma glasses which would allow them to differentiate colors. Pace contacted Marshall County Preschool/Headstart, where health advocate Michelle Davis reached out to the Lions Club.
“We just recently found out Brisen was color blind,” Pace said. “They did some testing here at school, and we went to the eye doctor. His isn’t as severe as Aaron’s, they said his was more color deficient….. I’ve wanted this for them for so long.”
Davis reached out to the Lions Club and EyeCare Associates of Benton, which built the lenses in their lab, reducing cost. Standard EnChroma glasses typically cost about $350 per set. Pace took the boys to EyeCare Associates to see what frames they liked, but didn’t tell the boys they were getting special lenses.
Pace, Davis, Lions Club members, Aaron and Brisen’s mom Tiffany Helton, and younger sister Teigen took part in presenting the glasses to both brothers Friday afternoon.
Incoming Benton Lions Club President Gene Gilliland said vision assistance is a prime directive for members. Gilliland said the club raises funds during events throughout the year to provide glasses and other vision needs.
“Hellen Keller years ago challenged the Chicago Lions Club to become ambassadors for the blind,” Gilliland said. “That’s a focal point we have. We participate in other activities, but our primary focus is that of eye care.”
Current club president Kristi Tucker said the club provides free eye screenings at several events throughout the year.
“We do the Back-to-School Bash and we go to all the preschools and do screenings for them,” Tucker said. “We get a lot of requests…. We send in hundreds of pairs of eye glasses internationally… and [the Lions Club] helps find new homes for them. One of our members brought me a bag the other day and said that was 20 years worth of glasses he and his wife had collected over the years.”
All three public libraries, the courthouse and some businesses throughout the county have collection boxes where used eye wear may be dropped off.
Brisen Helton, 4, is presented with eye glasses which will help him better see colors. Brisen, along with brother Aaron, are color blind.
Aaron Helton, 9, is able to better see different colors thanks to special glasses presented to him by the Benton Lions Club. Helton’s mother and grandmother brought several different colored balloons when giving the Benton Elementary School student with the glasses.
Benton Lions Club members and family members pose with Helton brothers Aaron, 9, and Brisen, 4. The club helped provide glasses which will help the brothers see color.