Visionary Support: Hartland Lions Club Enhances Community Health with ARPA Funds
In our continuing series celebrating the impactful use of ARPA funds, we turn our spotlight to a transformative project led by the Hartland Lions Club. As part of a broader initiative to enhance community well-being and align with the core mission of Lions Club International (LCI), the Hartland Lions Club has leveraged ARPA funding to further its vision-focused efforts, particularly through the Lions Kidsight USA program.
Lion’s Club International, the world’s largest volunteer organization, is renowned for its dedication to five major global causes: Diabetes, Environment, Hunger, Vision, and Childhood Cancer. Within this framework, the Hartland Lions Club, a chapter in Michigan District 11-C2, works diligently to address these causes at a local level in Hartland and the surrounding areas.
One of their key initiatives is the Kidsight program, which focuses on early detection of vision problems in young children. This initiative is vital as undetected vision issues in early childhood can lead to permanent impairments if not addressed by the age of seven. To facilitate this, the Hartland Lions Club uses state-of-the-art, touchless eye cameras to provide immediate and accurate vision screenings.
In 2023, our local Lions Club faced a challenge that temporarily hindered their ability to offer these critical screenings. The Hartland chapter had to cancel two scheduled Kidsight events due to the unavailability of one of the four district cameras. The absence of this essential equipment highlighted the pressing need for additional resources to ensure the program’s continuity and effectiveness.
Recognizing this need, Hartland Lions Club applied for an ARPA grant through the Township for funds to purchase an additional vision screening camera specifically for the Hartland area.. With the new camera now dedicated to their use, the Hartland Lions Club has successfully conducted four Kidsight screening events in 2024, testing over 275 children. This increase in screenings ensures that more young residents receive early detection and intervention, improving their quality of life and preventing avoidable vision loss.
This collaboration between Hartland Township and the Lions Club exemplifies how targeted use of ARPA funds can address specific community needs, fostering positive outcomes for local residents. The successful integration of the new camera into the Kidsight program is a testament to the powerful impact that thoughtful investments can have on community health and well-being.
As we continue to explore the remarkable projects funded by ARPA, it is clear that the combined efforts of local organizations and Township support are creating lasting improvements. Stay tuned as we share more stories of how Hartland is thriving through these collaborative endeavors.
