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Contact:
Lions Clubs International
Melitta J. Cutright or Brett Rush
brett.rush@lionsclubs.org
630-571-5466, ext. 366

For Immediate Release

NEW JERSEY LION RECEIVES AWARD FROM PRESIDENT BUSH

OAK BROOK, IL (USA) May 30, 2007—Hi-Nella, NJ, resident and Lindenwold Lions Club member Charles “Chuck” Wiemer was recognized by President George W. Bush yesterday as a recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

President Bush presented the award to Wiemer, 74, in Newark, NJ, in recognition of his extensive community service. A member of the Lindenwold Lions Club for 47 years, Wiemer has also been a volunteer driver for the Camden Eye Center Mobile Vision Clinic since 1998. The program offers comprehensive eye care services to youth and adults at schools, nursing homes and health fairs throughout South Jersey. More than 28,000 people have received vision services through the Mobile Vision Clinic.

“I am humbled and honored to receive this award,” Wiemer said. “The reason I became a Lion and decided to participate in community service was to help people lead better and more productive lives. It’s been a wonderful experience to change peoples’ lives for the better.”

A retired teacher and principal, Wiemer coordinates fundraising efforts for Campaign SightFirst II, an initiative of Lions Clubs International Foundation aimed at raising funds to combat preventable blindness. The program raises funds to support cataract surgeries, build eye clinics, distribute sight-saving medications and train eye care professionals.

“Receiving this award has been unbelievable, certainly, but I don’t do what I do for recognition like this,” Wiemer said. “It’s been a part of me—and a part of my family—for a very long time.”

Wiemer also helped coordinate the distribution of $3.2 million mobilized by Lions for the victims and families of September 11.

Created in 2002, the President’s Volunteer Service Award is given in appreciation and recognition of local volunteers making a difference in the lives of others. President Bush has given the award to 575 individuals across the country since its inception.

Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with 1.3 million members in 45,000 clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas around the world. Since 1917, Lions clubs have aided the blind and visually impaired and made a strong commitment to community service and serving youth throughout the world. For more information on Lions Clubs International, visit the Web site at www.lionsclubs.org.

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