L-R: Brenda Dunn Program/Manager NM Lions Operation KidSight, Lucinda Maddox/SCWC Vision Screening chairperson, Gail Carter/SCWC member, Barb McKee/Delta Kappa Gamma President and Jan R. White/Delta Kappa Gamma member.
The Silver City Woman's Club a 501c 3 non-profit has for many years offered free vision screening on all Head Start students in Grant and some surrounding Counties, in partnership with the local Lions Club. Over the years the program has helped hundreds of Head Start aged children by detecting possible vision issues.
This year the Woman's Club will be partnering with NM Lions Operation KidSight and the sorority Delta Kappa Gamma.
Volunteer training for was held in early August and the SCWC Head Start vision screening schedule has been set for 13 schools. Besides the Grant County Head Start schools, the schools involved will extend to Cliff, Lordsburg, and Animas as well to several private schools. The time to perform the vision screening will run from August 23 and the last school will be on October 3. The Woman's Club will be providing volunteers along with Delta Kappa Gamma.
In 2017 the SC Woman's Club with 11 volunteers screened 1065 children which resulted in 250 referrals to eye doctors for further evaluation. The 11 volunteers were able to screen all but one child who just couldn't sit still long enough for the test to be conducted.
SC Woman's club vision screening chairperson Lucinda Maddox stated, "The vision testing equipment used this year tests for 7 specific vision issues". "I have been wearing glasses since I was in the 6th grade, and if my vision issue would have been caught earlier it may have been corrected", Maddox continued.
86% of children entering 1st grade have had no eye exam. 95% of vision disorders can be corrected if dedicated by age 6 years or younger, according to the Operation KidSight website.
The mission of New Mexico Lions Operation KidSight, is to establish and maintain a sustainable program that will provide annual eye screenings and follow-up eye exams and treatment (if needed) for all young children ages 3 to 7 years in New Mexico.
The SC Woman's club would like to thank both the Lions Club and Delta Kappa Gamma for helping the Woman's Club continue this most important children's program.
For more information about the Head Start vision screening program, contact Lucinda Maddox at 575.313.4591 or email silvercitywomansclub1909@gmail.com. Visit the club at https://silvercitywomansclub.org/ or like them on FaceBook.