Bob Block, of Dyer, holds 42 years of Lions Club membership under his belt.
A member of the Calumet City Lions Club, Block was originally drawn to join the club because of its dedication of helping the visually impaired.
So, for the third year in a row, Block continued to help the organization by joining about 300 others Sunday at the Lions Clubs District 1-A Helen Keller 5k Fun Run/Walk.
This year, Block brought along his 13-year-old grandson, Ryan Block, also of Dyer, for the charity event at Richard’s High School, 10601 Central Ave., Oak Lawn.
“This is my first time doing the 5k with my grandpa,” Ryan said. “I am excited to support his organization.”
For nearly 100 years, Lions Clubs have provided resources for individuals who are blind or hearing loss worldwide.
The District 1-A is a part of Lions Clubs International, a network of volunteers who work together to answer the needs that challenge local communities. There are 72 clubs in District 1-A, said to District 1-A Lions Support Coordinator Judy Toft.
In an address to Lions Clubs International in 1925 by Helen Keller, she asked the clubs to foster and sponsor the work of the American Foundation for the Blind.
“We aim to help both the younger and older people in our local communities, especially regarding issues with being visually impaired,” Burbank Lions Club member Chris Coleman said.
At Sunday’s event, Oak Lawn Mayor Sandra Bury kicked off the race and thanked participants who were charged $30. Officials of the event also accepted donations.
Last year, the event raised $16,000 and this year officials expected to raise a similar amount of money. As of the Daily Southtown’s deadline, officials were unable to say how much money was raised.
Some proceeds will go to the Chicago Lighthouse to support people who are blind or visually impaired. Among the many services the Lighthouse offers, is a school for children with multi-disabilities; job training and placement; a low vision clinic and a manufacturing facility that supplies clocks to the U.S. government.
Proceeds also will go to the Lions of Illinois Foundation, which operates 14 programs serving the visually and hearing impaired. Organizers of groups, such as the Boy and Girl scouts, booster clubs and churches, were able to keep a portion of the funds that their respective organizations raised.
“It is really nice to be able to get together with Lions Club members from other areas for such a great cause,” Block said.
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Kelly White is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.