“The club is known for its sight prevention program in the United States and humanitarian services worldwide and the Saipan Lions would like to bring that to the CNMI community,” he said.
The medical mission will focus on vision screening and it will be held at the Civic Center basketball court in Susupe.
It will also offer other services such as hearing testing as well as blood pressure and blood sugar testing.
The event will be conducted by the Lions Club International District 204, Region 2, Saipan Fil-Am Lions Club, Saipan Marianas Lions Club, Saipan Unity Lions Club in collaboration with Region 1 Guam Lions.
Madriaga said local Lions are also involved with beautification programs such as trash collection, basketball court renovation, pavilion painting and tree planting.
“We have conducted health awareness programs (diabetes, cancer) in the past, but the medical mission will be our first and the start of a major health program that local Lions will provide to the community,” he said.
They will set up a collection box for old and used eyeglasses from community members.
“In just about any dresser drawer, one can find a pair of eyeglasses that are no longer being used. That same pair of eyeglasses can change another person’s life,” he said.
The donated eyeglasses will be forwarded to the Lions eyeglass recycling center in the states and will be cleaned, sorted, packaged and distributed to people in need.
“Imagine if you could help a child read, an adult succeed in his job, a senior maintain her independence and provide members of our community with more opportunities to grow and thrive,” Madriaga said.
Lions members thank everyone in advance who will contribute to this important endeavor, he added.
Prior to the medical mission, the Saipan Lions, upon the arrival of their Guam counterparts, will hold a motorcade from the airport to Middle Road in Garapan to Beach Road before proceeding to the Civic Center.
The Guam Lions will be headed by District Gov. Romeo Angel from Guam Spirit Lions Club, Past District Gov.
Goring Duenas of Guam Galaide Lions Club, PDG Melen Ruiz of Guamerica Lions Club, 2nd Vice District Gov. Rey Acierto of Asia Pacific Lions Club and other officers from Guam Marianas Lions.
The Region 2 officers will be led by 1VDG Pastor Gagaring, Zone Chairman Joe Digno, Treasurer Ladyvir Canape from Saipan Unity Lions Club, Region Chairman Danny Domingo, Secretary Paul Madriaga, and Safety Officer Tony Soriano from Saipan Marianas Lions Club.
They will be joined by Saipan Fil-Am officers Lions Jess Delos Santos and Mario Mayuga.
The Lions will visit Rota and possibly charter a new club there. They will also conduct a Lions orientation on Tinian a day after the medical mission.
The Saipan Lions are also joining hands to revive the Saipan Friendship Lions Club.
“This is also an invitation to former Saipan Friendship Lions to support the mission and be part once again of our ‘We Serve’ community,” Madriaga said.
For more information, call Jess Delos Santos 287-8880, Mario Mayuga 285-1021, Tony Soriano 287-7917, Arlene Hart 285-4809, Ladyvir Canape 483-2118 or Ruth Torrecampo 789-5689.
For more information about the Lions Clubs International, visit www.lionsclubs.org.
