PA & PBM Lions' Gifts Allow Disabled Adults to Weather the Storm

Paoli,PA...Thanks to some generous Lions, the adults with visual impairment and developmental disabilities who live in a Royer-Greaves residence can now weather power outages safely at home.

The Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation recently presented Royer-Greaves School for Blind with a check for nearly $15,000. Coupled with a check from the Paoli, Berwyn, Malvern Lions Club, that money will fund the purchase of three electrical generators for group homes in King of Prussia, Drexel Hill, and Springfield.

The loss of electrical power, difficult for anyone, can be terrifying or even life-threatening for the visually impaired and developmentally disabled adults who live in the Royer-Greaves homes. In addition to visual and other disabilities, many have complex medical needs. “They have medicines that require refrigeration and medical equipment that needs power,” said Royer-Greaves Executive Director Vicky Mayer. “They have a limited understanding of what is happening around them, and relocating to another house or hotel can be a fearful experience. Limited mobility adds to the risk of transporting them during severe weather,” she said.

The installation of the generators means that in a power outage, staff can continue to safely care and support residents at home, with no interruption to the routine and care they need.

“Since 1925, when Helen Keller challenged the Lions of the world to be ‘Knights of the Blind,’ our mission has been to help the blind and visually challenged,”said Lions International Past District Governor Richard T. Taylor, who is the Berks and Chester counties director for the Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation. “The Lions of Pennsylvania Foundation provides matching grants to Pennsylvania Lions Clubs that allow the local clubs to fulfill our mission within their communities. Royer-Greaves’ need for generators fits perfectly with the Lions’ mission and goals.”

This is not the first time that support from the Lions Club has improved the lives of students and adults at Royer-Greaves School for Blind and Royer-Greaves Services.

“From our common purpose of serving those who are blind or visually impaired, a partnership arose and has continued to grow for decades,” Mayer said. “What is most appreciated by me is the Lions’ commitment to go above and beyond in their mission; where there is a need there is a Lion.”

--

The Royer-Greaves School for Blind, founded in 1921 and located in Paoli, PA serves children and adults with a visual impairment/blindness and a co-occurring intellectual and/or physical disability. The Royer-Greaves community focuses on developing the unique abilities of each person served through individual support and attention. For more information, please visit www.royer-greaves.org