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Lions International Helps Sumter Regional

Posted 07/24/2007
An organization with local ties is helping take on the task of getting the community a new hospital.
Dr. Leonard LaRussa, treasurer and president-elect of the club, said that Lions International will match donations made for the hospital in a fund called the Quitman Fund up to $75,000.

For instance, if an organization donates $1,000, Lions International will match another $1,000 up to $75,000, LaRussa explained.

The Quitman Fund is currently set up at Sumter Bank & Trust for donations, LaRussa said.

“Lions International is the largest service club in the world and cares about providing relief and assistance where it's most needed,” LaRussa said.

After the tornado, the Lions Club assisted locally by providing household goods and cleaning supplies, as well as gift cards to Wal-Mart to tornado victims, LaRussa explained.

LaRussa said Lions International will not match donations over $75,000, once it has reached $75,000 in donation matches.

“The donations can come from private or corporate organizations,” LaRussa said.

Checks can be made directly to Sumter Bank & Trust with a notation for the Quitman Fund for the match, or the checks can be made directly to the Americus Lions Club for the match, LaRussa explained.

“We're looking to try to get the match by the Lions Club,” said Sumter Regional President/CEO David Seagraves. “We've approached several who are interested in making contributions through Lions.

“We're excited that the Lions Club is willing to participate with us,” Seagraves said.

“We help people who can't afford eye exams,” LaRussa said of the Lions Club's philanthropy.

“Through mop and broom sales and barbecues, we raise money to send blind kids to the Georgia Camp for the Blind,” he said. The camp is near Waycross.

“We also help by sending money to ‘Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic,' for books on audiotape,” LaRussa said.
The Lions Club also helps a program called Leader Dog that trains seeing-eye dogs for the blind, LaRussa said.
“The Georgia Lions Lighthouse assists people who need to have eye surgery,” he said, telling more on the club's philanthropy.

LaRussa added the Lions Club helps those with vision or hearing problems.

“We are always willing to take old eyeglasses that can be refurbished for someone who needs them and can't afford them,” he said.

He said the club has a concession stand at the Sumter County Fair every fall, and the proceeds go back into the community.

LaRussa's wife Nikki is president of the Lions Club. For those wanting more information about the Quitman Fund, LaRussa can be contacted at 931-0505.

US Patent Numbers 7,720,998 B2, 7,836,207