Century-old club shares the vision with senior members, volunteers and others

Intermountain Catholic

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Members of Club Vision gathered last week, sharing a few hours of companionship, fun and entertainment.

MURRAY — One hundred years ago Lieutenant Andrew S. Rowan and his wife, Josephine, established a reading room for the blind in Salt Lake City library to help others in the same way Josephine helped her visually handicapped brother, by reading to them.

That legacy has continued. In 2002 Club Vision was developed, adding emphasis on social interaction. Since then Club Vision gathers three times a week at the B.P.O.E. Lodge in Murray.

"We used to go to the library and volunteers read to them," said Beverly Lords, a parishioner of St. Thomas More Catholic Church who is a member of the Club Vision board as well as a volunteer.

Among the programs that the club offers are lunch and beverages, social interaction with club members, reading, musical entertainment, celebration of birthdays, referrals to other organizations, and transportation to and from the Club Vision.

The membership to the club is free; the only requirement is that members have to be declared legally blind. "Some of our people have a little bit of vision but they are declared legally blind," said Lords, who has been part of the club for five years.

Susan Woolstenhulme, the club’s volunteer coordinator, keeps track of how many people show up every day; usually the groups is composed of 22 people. There are about 75 volunteers. The volunteers serve as greeters, drivers, program planners and fundraisers.

"We have entertainment three times a week," said Woolstenhulme who, together with her husband, welcome the members and serving them lunch.

The programs usually last for 60 to 90 minutes, which offers opportunities to make friends and build friendships. Many of the club members are seniors.

"They get older and older," said Woolstenhulme, referring to the fact that they are inviting all the people to join the group.

"I’ve been coming to the group since 15 years ago… It has been really, really nice. I like everything," said Aileen Wood.

The Club is funded by donations from individuals, business, foundations and groups, which make possible to serve lunches, entertainment, transportation, and activities.

"Anyone that is blind or knows someone that is blind, please call us, we want to have them," Lords said. "We’ll pick them up … everything is free, at no cost."

To donate, contact Christine Allred, president of the board, 801-424-0096. To participate in the program, call Susan Woolstenhulme, volunteer coordinator, 801-262-3769.