BROOKINGS The Brookings Lions Club will be out in Brookings on Oct. 17-18 to raise funds and awareness about the blind and visually impaired during annual White Cane Days.
White Cane Safety Day is celebrated in the U.S. on Oct. 15 each year. On this day and during the entire week, Lions clubs are publicizing the needs of the blind and visually impaired, as well as raising contributions to help preserves sight.
Members of the Brookings Lions Club will be at the Hy-Vee Store entrance on Oct. 17-18 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. to welcome donations to benefit the blind and visually impaired. Proceeds will go to the Brookings Lions Club to help those with vision impairments. The Lions will also collect used eyeglasses and hearing aids.
The familiar white cane with a red band at the bottom is used by the visually impaired in many countries.
The device was invented in 1930 by Lion George A. Bonham in Peoria, Illinois.
Today blind and visually impaired people throughout the world use Bonhams invention.
States have created white cane laws to protect the visually impaired. Motorists must yield the right-of-way to the blind and visually impaired.
On Oct. 6, 1964, Congress passed a resolution that authorized President Lyndon B. Johnson to proclaim Oct. 15 of each year as White Cane Safety Day.
Our goal for White Cane Days is $1,500, said Mike Sprenger, president of the Brookings Lions Club. Money raised will support county-wide services through the help of Lions in Brookings to help the blind and visually impaired in the community.
Each person who contributes will receive a White Cane lapel emblem to symbolize the commitment to preserving sight and empowering the visually impaired, as well as the concern for the sight of those less fortunate.
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