Guiding Eyes For The Blind At September Fulton Lions Meeting

FULTON, NY – Guiding Eyes For The Blind, (GEFB), who train and provide service dogs to those with vision loss, was the featured program at the September Fulton Lions meeting.

“The Fulton Lions Club has supported Guiding Eyes for decades,” said David Guyer, club president. “That’s why we were pleased to make a $1,000 donation this evening. Helping them helps us in our mission to help the blind and hearing impaired in our community.”

Guiding Eyes For The Blind, (GEFB), who train and provide service dogs to those with vision loss, was the featured program at the September Fulton Lions meeting where the club made a $1,000 donation to the organization. From left: Melissa Champion, club vice president; David Guyer, club president; Mary Oonk, GEFB co-central NY regional coordinator,  Mark Hemans, GEFB puppy raiser, and Hemans’ puppy, Reggie, a black Labrador Retriever.

Mary Oonk, GEFB co-central NY regional coordinator and puppy raiser, and Mark Hemans, a puppy raiser, spoke to the club about the program while showcasing Hemans’ puppy, Reggie, a black Labrador Retriever. “We are passionate about connecting exceptional dogs with individuals for greater independence,” Oonk said. “All our services are provided free of charge, so support from the Fulton Lions Club is greatly appreciated.”

Hemans explained that he will have Reggie for couple more months, then he’ll be sent to the GEFB headquarters in Yorktown Heights for screening, training, and placement.  Hemans has been training Reggie for about 20 months. The last puppy he raised just joined the Massachusetts State Police as a detection dog. For more information on GEFB, visit centralnyregion@guidingeyes.net.

The Fulton Lions Club,  known for their Lions Loot Sweepstakes, annual Charby’s Duck Derby, and Mane Event Comedy Night, provides financial assistance for those in need of eyeglasses, eye exams and hearing aids to residents in the Greater Fulton area.  For more information on the Fulton Lions Club, visit www.fultonlionsclub.com.