One night each year, for the last 30 years, the members of the Spencerport Lions Club have gotten dressed up and put on their dancing shoes to dance the night away. They really know how to have a good time - at least that's what their dance partners from the New York State School for the Blind think. The local Lions chapter has been holding a dinner dance for the sight-impaired students from the school in Batavia since 1973. The students (the majority of whom have severe and multiple disabilities) eagerly anticipate the event each year. This year, the students got a chance to recognize the Lions for their dedication. The school gave the service organization a citation for their volunteerism and named a student store at the school "Spencer's Port," in honor of the local Lions chapter. Jennifer Ervin, superintendent at the School for the Blind, said the help her school has received from the Spencerport Lions (both financially and through volunteering) has meant a great deal to the staff and students. "We try to give our kids opportunities to live like regular folks. We're always looking to get our kids out into the community," said Ervin. "It is groups like the Lions Club that let us know it is still possible." Ed Nau, a long-time Lions member, has always appreciated the group's involvement with the School for the Blind. Nau, along with his wife, Pearl, son Mike and daughters Michele and Marilyn, has worked hands on with the blind students. Nau said he has spent many hours at the school talking and playing with the students and has had many over to his house to visit. Some of the outside interaction with the students has had to be limited in the last few years because the care the students require has become much more intense in recent years. The School for the Blind now predominantly services students with multiple and severe disabilities. Even with all the care needed, the Lions have continued to hold the dinner dance, getting the students out for a night of carefree fun. "The kids may not hear the music and they may not see the other people, but they can sense a change in environment and it is exiting to them," said Nau. This year they drew 130 people at the Plantation Party House, which has been a supporter of the annual event. Nau said staying actively involved in this charity has given his family an opportunity to work together and has even benefited his health. "Working with these kids has kept me alive," said Nau, explaining that he has many physical ailments. "Watching them gives me the resolve to keep going." Nau happily reminisces about trips to the circus and surprise visits from some of the students. "I can remember driving a few blind students somewhere and coming upon two deer. I described to the children in as much detail as possible what the deer were doing," said Nau. "A few weeks later I was at the school and when one of the girls, who had been with me that day, heard my voice she asked 'Mr. Nau, do you remember when we saw that deer?' That meant the world to me." Nau continues to volunteer along with the other 31 members of the Spencerport Lions. They continue to answer the call that was first issued by Helen Keller in 1926 when she challenged the Lions organization to become the "knights for the blind." Spencerport and other chapters around the country continue to meet the needs financially and through special projects like the annual dinner dance. The Spencerport chapter also raised money to purchase a handicap accessible bus last year, and raised $180,000 to build Sensory Park in 1991 - a unique playground for the blind. The Spencerport Lions staff a Braille service that meets once a week to convert writing to Braille. The group has been producing thousands of pages annually for the last 27 years. Training for individuals interested in becoming a transcriber is available. In addition to their service to the blind, the Spencerport Lions also organize a local college fair and run a medical supplies cabinet. Those interested in becoming a member of the Lions Cub may contact Mike Nau at 352-6599. |
