Lions Club of New Brunswick NJ sees way to helping those in need

On Nov 30, 2023

Nearly 80 years ago, the Lions Club of New Brunswick co-founded the Needy Cases Fund with a vision of helping local disadvantaged people.

As a Lions Club member − and on his own − Dr. David Weininger, 73, has been helping those in need for nearly 45 years. Through the efforts of the Lions Club and the Needy Cases Fund, Weininger has provided vision care for those who may not be able to afford it. Those in need of eye care are referred by organizations such as schools, churches and local clinics.

The Needy Cases Fund has evolved over the years, and insurance coverage has become more accessible, but the need has always been there.

“In my office, we try to do the best we can to give the patient the visual abilities to function out in the real world,” said the former Lions Club president. “We have the knowledge to help them. It makes us feel good in terms of helping our fellow man.”

In years past, the Lions Club of New Brunswick focused much of its giving on the eye exams and vision care. In recent years, the clientele was mainly comprised of immigrants and those new to the area.

In those cases, he said, vision care “seems to be a little bit lower on the totem pole than homes, clothes and food.” School nurses typically identify a child in need of vision care or new glasses and send them to Weininger.

Needy Cases Fund 2023:How to help your neighbors in need during the holidays

“It feels good to be able to help people with what I do,” said Weininger, whose optometry office is in New Brunswick.

Though the pandemic slowed the pace of that service and while eye care clients are slowly picking up, Weininger − and the Lions Club − have continued their dedication to service and helping others.

Founded in 1917, the Lions Club is best known for its fight against blindness, but the nonprofit also volunteers for many community projects including caring for the environment, feeding the hungry and aiding seniors and the disabled.

A good chunk of the Lions Club giving in recent years has been to families and children in need at Lord Sterling School in New Brunswick, especially at holiday time. For several years, the Needy Cases Fund has been providing Holiday Wish List packages for families.

According to Weininger, the school obtains a holiday wish list from each family. Club members − or elves perhaps − work to fill the list. Populations of new residents seems to be increasing in New Brunswick, where Weininger focuses his giving, so he surmises the need is rising as well.

The lists are filled, gifts wrapped and delivered to the school in time for the holidays.

And every year, Weininger said he is surprised at what is on the wish lists. It’s mainly “needs” and not “wants,” even for the children.

“It’s really heartbreaking to see the stuff that they ask for − it’s basic household goods, clothing like underwear, socks, pants, shirts,” Weininger said. “Toys never top the list. I’ve seen them walking in and they have a coat, but underneath is only a T-shirt. There’s not enough money for warm clothing. We try to fulfill whatever the school puts on that list. But every once in a while, you see a family that really pokes at you.”

Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries. As part of a global service network, Lions Clubs do whatever is necessary to help local communities.

The Lions Club is always looking for new members, Weininger said. To join or for more information, go to www.lionsclubs.org.

How to support the Needy Cases Fund

From Nov. 26 to Dec. 3, the Courier News, the Home News Tribune and MyCentralJersey.com are focusing on 11 organizations serving Central Jersey as part of the annual Needy Cases Fund program.

The Needy Cases Fund is a Central Jersey holiday tradition, stretching back more than seven decades. The community-service project has been sponsored by the Home News Tribune and its predecessor, the Daily Home News, working with the Lions Club of New Brunswick. The Courier News has joined the Home News Tribune in sponsoring the charity since 2020.

Crédito: Link de origem

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