![Senior Jayden Duarte dives across the goal line for one of his five touchdowns in a dominant 62-40 victory over Monterey. It has been a highly successful season for Duarte, and he credits his coaches for putting him in positions to succeed and make key plays. “The goal is to help wherever the coaches need me, receiver, running back, [and] DB,” he said.](https://alisaltrojantribune.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/IMG_3599-2-1200x800.jpg)
Glasses are expensive, but the Lions Club provided them at no cost on October 5th at the Monterey County Office of Education.
Lions Club International focuses on humanitarian efforts in the world and helps people locally and globally. At the event, other services such as diabetes testing, hearing testing, and vision screening were offered as well and 32 resource fairs were outside the clinic.
“The Lions Club reached out to the County Office of Education about 2 months ago,” Assistant Superintendent of Student Services for the Monterey Country of Education Dr. Ernesto Vela said. “They reached out and said ‘We’d like to have this clinic on a Sunday.’”
According to Dr. Vela, Monterey County conducted a needs assessment and health was a big part of it. “Both dental and vision were among the highest needs in our community so it was a great fit,” he said.
This was the 8th vision clinic Lions Club has had, but the first in Monterey County. Every appointment was taken in 2 days after the announcement was posted. “We’re here to help those in need,” Lions Club member Bob Stewart said. The clinic is fully organized by a team of Lions from different clubs and volunteers ranging from translators to doctors.
In total, 145 prescription glasses were handed out with 66 custom made, one Lions Eye Foundation referral for further treatment, and 8 patients that were sent to get an eye exam free of charge covered by Lions Club.
The vision clinic served around 531 people that day. “We collect used glasses, check them for their quality, clean and read them with a lensometer and have them ready for clinics in our district,” Lead of Vision Clinic Gosia Czajka said.
Alisal senior Gabriela Martinez volunteered at the eye clinic as a translator. “They were able to help some people that needed surgery,” she said. “They had a separate eye clinic for those who have severe eye problems to help them so it doesn’t worsen.” The clinic would be the Lions Eye Foundation which cost nothing for patients as Lion members pay an annual contribution for patients to receive free operations.
“There is a possibility of another Clinic in Monterey County,” Czajka said. This time, patients were able to sign up through Google forms. People interested in getting an appointment for the possible next time should contact the Monterey County Office of Education, as they now have a partnership with Lions Club.
Salinas has its own club, Salinas Host Lions Club and Salinas Wings of Light Branch Club. Students can also start their own Leo Club (a Lions Club for youth) with help of an advisor, such as a teacher at school. To become a Leo, youth can learn more information here about starting their own Leo Club.
Lions International focuses on many things such as childhood cancer, diabetes, disaster relief, environment, humanitarian, hunger, vision, youth, etc. It’s a great way to be involved and positively influence your community and others.
