Camden Lion Michael Castle was honored by the Maine Lions Sight and Hearing Foundation with a Curtis D. Lovill Fellowship award. The distinction is in recognition of his dedication and significant contribution to the welfare of the sight and hearing impaired of Maine, especially in the Midcoast area. Past District Governor in Maine, Lion Mark Potter from the Damariscotta Lions Club made the award presentation at the April 2 Camden Lion meeting. 

Lion Michael Castle oversees the club’s program to collect old, unwanted eyeglasses in the Midcoast and prepares them for redistribution. Every year, the club receives hundreds of donated glasses. For over 80 years, individual Lions clubs around the world have collected old, unwanted eyeglasses for redistribution to the poor. 

Michael is the third member of the Camden Lions club to be awarded this fellowship. Previous recipients include Lions John McKay and Audrey Lovering.

The Camden Lions are very proud and appreciative of Lion Michael Castle’s work in the vision arena. Michael donates hundreds of hours every year to other Lion activities that benefit our local community.

Thank you to the Midcoast community for helping us combat visual impairment by donating eyeglasses and hearing aids.  Old, unwanted eyeglasses and hearing aids can be donated at Lion collection box in various locations across Midcoast Maine or at the Camden Lions Clubhouse drop box located at 7 Lions Lane in Camden.

Why Donate Your Old Eyeglasses?

According to Lions International, globally, one child in four cannot see well enough to learn to read without eyeglasses. By age 40, 90% of adults experience a decrease in their ability to read print and need eyeglasses. Many countries lack the resources to manufacture quality lenses, and the cost of importing eyeglasses is far beyond the means of the average citizen. Millions fail to reach their economic, educational, and social potential without access to quality eyeglasses.

The World Health Organization estimates that the eyesight of one-fourth of the world’s population can be improved through the use of corrective lenses. Unfortunately, for many a pair of glasses is both unaffordable and inaccessible. In developing countries, an eye exam costs as much as one month’s wages, and a single doctor may serve a community of hundreds of thousands of people.