Charlotte Lions “White Cane” Campaign Begins April 22nd
The Charlotte Lions Club “White Cane Awareness” Campaign returns after a 2- year hiatus due to the CO-VID Pandemic. Lions will be wearing the Lions’ purple and yellow aprons collecting money and distributing appliques in the shape of a white cane. Designated locations for the campaign are Walmart, LAFCU, and Quality Dairy; April 22-24 and April 29-May 1st.
The idea of white canes provides safety for blind people in traffic and was credited in 1930 to George M. Bonham, a Lions club member from Peoria, ILL. The concept was brought to the attention of other Lions Clubs and at a convention in 1932, presentation of white canes was adopted as an international movement. In 1936, the movement was brought to the attention of the Michigan Legislature, and the White Cane Ordinance was passed, giving a blind person with a white cane or leader dog in harness the right-of-way in traffic.
Lions are groups of service-minded men and women who are interested in improving their communities. Lions are best known for their efforts to help prevent blindness and participate in many other types of projects to help make their communities a better place to live and work.
If you would like to know more about the Charlotte Lions Club, meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 6:30 at the Charlotte Community Library. For more information about joining the Lions, call 517-543-4240.
If you are unable to stop at one of the locations during the campaign, you can drop off your donation at Johnson’s Frame Shop at the Court House Square-Museum or mail in your donation to Bob Phillips at 100 W. Lawrence Ave, Charlotte, MI, 48813.
Submitted by Connie O’Neill, Charlotte Lions Club
