Selfridge-Chesterfield Lions Club Hosts Community Health Fair

The Selfridge-Chesterfield Lions Club is set to host a Community Health Fair on October 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Grace United Methodist Church located at 49655 Jefferson Avenue in Chesterfield Township. This event aims to address pressing health issues within the community, providing essential health screenings and educational resources.

The health fair will showcase the Lions of Michigan Service Foundation’s Project KidSight, which utilizes a noninvasive camera-like device to identify treatable and preventable causes of vision loss in children as young as one year old. Additionally, the event will feature the Lions Defense Against Diabetes program, a collaboration between the Lions of Michigan and the Lions Clubs International Foundation. This initiative works alongside clinics, hospitals, and community organizations to offer A1C and glucose screenings, nutritional education, and diabetes management. According to recent data, there are approximately 1.3 million individuals living with diabetes in Michigan and around 420 million worldwide, making it a leading cause of blindness and kidney damage.

The Community Health Fair will also include participation from the Macomb County Health Department and the National Kidney Foundation, further enhancing the resources available to attendees. “DiMartino Chiropractic Center will provide free chair massages and discussions on general health and wellbeing,” said Shawn Blaszczyk, secretary of the Selfridge-Chesterfield Lions Club. “We have a solid group of healthcare providers already participating and hope to add a few more.”

Current participants include Grace Counseling and DoTerra Essential Oils, which will share information on homeopathic healthcare practices. Blaszczyk emphasized the critical nature of preventing eye damage, stating, “Diabetes is now the leading cause of blindness. Blindness is a main focus of Lions. If we can do anything to prevent eye damage before people reach that point, we do that.”

Founded in 1983, the Selfridge-Chesterfield Lions Club has seen growth in membership and continues to welcome new members. Those interested can contact Blaszczyk at 248-752-0365 or via email at [email protected]. The club is known for its community-oriented initiatives, which include regular volunteer work at The Salvation Army soup kitchen, providing scholarships to local students, and distributing Thanksgiving and Easter food baskets to families in need.

In addition to their health initiatives, the Lions Club supports various charitable causes, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. The organization focuses on reducing new cases of blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy through comprehensive education, early detection, and treatment.

Lions clubs globally are encouraged to engage in awareness activities throughout November for Lions Diabetes Education Month. For more information on the Defense Against Diabetes program, interested parties can reach out to Roger Blackwell at [email protected] or 810-225-9343.

The Selfridge-Chesterfield Lions Club also participates in other charitable activities. They collect and recycle used eyeglasses at various locations, including the Chesterfield Township Clerk’s Office and the Chesterfield Library. The eyeglasses are cleaned, repaired, and classified by prescription before being distributed to those in need. Donations of used hearing aids are also welcomed.

Moreover, the club supports initiatives such as the Corewell Health Children’s Speech and Language Pathology department and Bear Lake Camp in Lapeer, which serves children who are visually impaired, hearing impaired, or have juvenile diabetes. The Lions Club also backs the Lions All State Band and Madonna University’s Deaf Community Studies program.

As part of their outreach, the Lions Club participates in events such as International White Cane Safety Day on October 15, aimed at raising awareness about traffic safety for pedestrians using white canes. Additionally, the New Baltimore Lions Club will host its Oktoberfest on October 18, featuring food, competitions, and community spirit, with proceeds benefiting local programs.

The Sterling Heights Lions Club will hold a meat raffle on October 19, offering attendees an opportunity to support community efforts. Grants from Lions Club International have enabled various programs, including an online diabetes management course offered by the Michigan State University Extension Service.

The Richmond Lions Club is also active, currently selling ads for their holiday publication and maintaining their participation in the MDOT Adopt-a-Highway program. Meanwhile, the Mount Clemens Lions Club is welcoming new members and recently hosted a soapbox derby race.

The deadline for nominations for the Macomb County Board of Commissioners “2025 Pat Daniels Veteran of the Year Award” is set for noon on October 21. This award recognizes veterans who have made significant contributions to their communities. Nominations can be submitted online at bocmacomb.org/programs/veteran-of-the-year-award.

The Selfridge-Chesterfield Lions Club continues to be a vital part of the local community, providing essential services and fostering a spirit of generosity and support. For inquiries related to service clubs or veterans’ organizations, reach out to Linda May at [email protected] or call 586-791-8116.