LIVERMORE FALLS — The Jay-Livermore Falls Lions Club conducted a fund raising drive a year ago that netted approximately $8,000 for the purchase of a Welch/Allyn SPOT vision screening machine and attachments that detects six different eye diseases.

The machine is being used to test local students. The new equipment replaces the antiquated Titmus machine and Snell eye chart form of testing used in years past.

Members of the club recently completed testing 986 students of SAD 52 (Greene, Leeds and Turner) in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first, third, fifth, seventh and ninth grades. The testing resulted in 61 students being referred to eye specialists for further review and treatment.

Last spring more than 100 youth in area day care centers were tested and, in the near future, the local Head Start students will also be tested.

The club goal is to test at least 2,000 youth and adults a year. 

Schools or groups that have not been contacted to set up a testing date, should contact Lion Connie Godfrey, Club Vision Screening Chair, at 207-897-2911 to set up a time.

The Jay-Livermore Falls Lions Club meets the first and third Tuesday evenings at the Chuck Wagon Restaurant on Depot Street with a social time at 6 p.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. New members are welcome.

FMI: 207-897-4444.