Matching Youth Grant Makes A Big Difference for Andrew
This teenage Imbler High School student may be just a few steps behind his peers due to his blindness, but Andrew is miles ahead of his classmates in working with technology. During the District G Convention, Andrew gave the Lions a lesson in how his new Electronic Braille System works. The unit was purchased for Andrew through the Elgin Lions Club and the Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation Matching Youth Grants program. Andrew explained that he can now transfer classroom assignments into print. “I can record music. It has an FM Radio, and I can even play games on it.”
Andrew’s mother, Sherry, explained that thanks to the Lions, he now has access to technology that he ordinarily wouldn’t have. “There’s certainly a lack of resources in smaller communities. Larger cities have knowledge of these kinds of support that no one else in our area knows about.” “The Elgin Lions Club came up with most of the money,” said Al Smolkowski, president of the club. “The Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundating donated $1,000, and we received smaller donations from the La Grande and Island City Clubs.” As more Lions Clubs become aware of the Youth Grants Program, and the unique impact on children like Andrew, Lions can make an amazing difference in lives of Oregon’s youth. Lions can learn more about the Matching Youth Grant Program through the Foundation at 1-800-635-4667. Clubs can join forces with another club to make otherwise expensive requests for support more affordable.
	Andrew ponders his answer to one of many questions by Lions Convention attendees on how his Electronic Brailler works with all its features.
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