Share the Vision

October 2023

Florida Lions Eye Clinic

Monthly Newsletter

***For some users- you may need to click on "view entire message" at the bottom to expand for more info!***

Preventing eye injuries at home:

Eye injuries at home are largely preventable. The American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates that you can decrease your risk of an eye injury at home by about 90 percent by wearing protective eyewear. Consider the following suggestions for preventing eye injuries at home:

• Wear protective eyewear when using any type of power tool.
• Read instructions on all chemical or cleaning products you use.
• Wash your hands right after touching chemicals.
• Do not rub your eye when handling chemicals.
• Remove all sticks, rocks, and pine cones before cutting the grass.
• Do not mix chemicals together for cleaning.
• Do not leave power tools near young children. 

The Florida Lions Eye Clinic is sad to announce the passing of Charlene (Char) Lupke, on August 28, 2023. Char worked as the Director of the Florida Lions Eye Clinic until her retirement. She was a proud and lifelong member of Delta Gamma, recently sitting on the board of the local alumni chapter here in Florida.

A memorial service was held on Saturday, September 23rd. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Char's companion, family and friends during this sad time.

Rest in peace.

Char Lupke helping in the clinic, photo seen on the cover of the FLLEC brochure.

The Florida Lions Eye Clinic is sad to announce the passing of Dr. Alfonse A. Cinotti on September 15, 2023. Dr. Cinotti was a clinic founder, who played a magnificent role in preventing blindness in many, many underserved patients during the course of his practice.

Dr. Cinotti turned 100 on New Year's Day 2023, and was a special and integral part of eye care history. Please read more below about this amazing, holy, and righteous person who FLLEC and all of its patients owe much gratitude to. When you have visited the clinic, you may have noticed his paintings proudly displayed for everyone's enjoyment. His memory will live on with the Florida Lions Eye Clinic and the patients who are being treated because of his devotion and kindness.

A Prayer Service was held on Thursday, September 21st in Naples. Funeral Mass will be offered in New Jersey at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Florida Lions Eye Clinic, 10322 Pennsylvania Ave, Bonita Springs FL 34135 or the Cento Amici Alfonse Cinotti Endowed Scholarship Fund at the NJ Medical School, 185 S. Orange Avenue, Newark, NJ 07103.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his entire family during this solemn time.

Rest in peace Dr. Cinotti.

Dr. Alfonse Cinotti with daughter, Senator Kathleen Passidomo

Have extra readers or non-prescription sunglasses at home? Please donate them to the clinic!

Happen to find some on sale while you're out shopping?

We'll happily accept them too!

Please save any coupons you find in your mailers for eye glasses. FLLEC collects these as well for patients.

Our patients truly appreciate all of the help they can get!

Speaking of glasses...

Our friends at Eye Associates of Fort Myers are running a glasses drive for FLLEC! They are giving 15% off new frames if you donate a pair of old glasses! Please see below!

Your contributions help us help people see, and we can't do it without you!

Want to make an online donation but unsure how? We'd be happy to help you process it! The clinic accepts credit cards, checks and cash.

Did you know you can set up recurring donations? Our supporters enjoy setting up monthly payments to the clinic. This helps especially during quieter months of giving, especially during the summer time! You can do so through our PayPal or ask us how!

Another way to support the clinic is helping purchase basic needs that come up! FLLEC now has an Amazon Wishlist that is sharable with your friends. Please click on the logo below!

Thank you for your continued support!

Do you live in a community that actively volunteers in the area?

Are you part of a group or organization that needs service hours?

Does your school require service hours?

We are looking for you! Fill out a volunteer application and book your orientation to get started today!

Volunteers Opportunities:

Spanish-English Interpreters

Administrative/Medical/Clinic Assistants

Ophthalmic Assistants

Ophthalmologists/Optometrists

Retina Specialists/Glaucoma Specialists

Fundraising/Marketing/Event Help

General Projects & Clinic Help

If you are interested in helping, please reach out!

mirandae@fllec.com • 239-319-2983

Thank you for your help!

*Must be at least 18 years old to work directly with patients.

*Parent/guardian consent form needed if under 18.

Our patients are grateful for the clinic, and they sure do know how to make our days sweeter! Check out this beautiful Jell-o cake brought in to show appreciation on 9/12!

Thank you for donating blood on 9/13!

Thank you to Dr. Berry for treating the office to CPK and supporting the clinic fundraiser on 9/18!

On 9/19 our Director of Development & Marketing, Miranda Escobar, had the pleasure of presenting the Florida Lions Eye Clinic to the Sun City Center Lions Club, in Sun City Center, FL, 2 hours north of the clinic. FLLEC's mission spans the entire state of Florida, and spreading the word to others who share our amazing vision to prevent blindness in Florida is so important! It was a welcoming and lovely visit with the Lions, and Miranda was even presented with a certificate of appreciation for being their guest speaker! The pleasure was all ours! We love collaborations.

*If you would like to book a speaker/presentation for your next meeting, please contact us!

One of our favorite days of the month!

Our little patients are encouraged to show off their Halloween costumes for us in October!

¡Uno de nuestros días favoritos del mes!

¡Se anima a nuestros pequeños pacientes a que nos muestren sus disfraces de Halloween en octubre!

FLLEC Funnies

Florida Lions Eye Clinic

•MISSION•

Our mission is to provide state-of-the-art medical and surgical eye care that is accessible to underserved individuals in Florida.



•VISION•

Our vision is to improve the quality of life for those who cannot afford eye care by providing exemplary and comprehensive vision care.

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