I have been asked to Chair CLERF this year and as I always have I want to know everything there is about an organization that I chair. I will gather all the information about our Foundation and then pass that information on to all of you. Recently I had an opportunity to visit with Dr. James C. Tsai, MD., M.B.A., chief of ophthalmology at Yale-New Haven Hospital, who is also the Robert R. Young Professor and chair of the department of ophthalmology and visual science at Yale School of Medicine, we met in New Haven at the eye clinic on Temple Street.  During our conversation we covered many issues and questions on how the new child center will help our children here in Connecticut and beyond. Dr Tsai talked about many different types of issues that affect our children's eyes and their ability to see or even just focus and read.      Naturally I could not pronounce let alone spell most of what he explained, but I did understand how they affect children and how they can help at the Eye Clinic. Dr Tsai then escorted me to the 3rd floor to visit and see the exam rooms and meet with other doctors and patients. The exam rooms for children are very comfortable and child friendly and all the staff of nurses and doctors where extremely pleasant and helpful. The clinic was much larger than I expected and filled with a large array of testing apparatus for all kinds of viewing areas of our eyes. The list of qualified Drs is quite long so I won't get in to all their names now but I will introduce you to them as the year moves on. In our discussions I asked for more about true life success stories of the people they have been able to help. They also agreed to send me a power point presentation outlining their research and how they plan on finding cures in the future for eye diseases . There is so much more to review with you, I am planning to have tours set up to bring groups of 15 to visit both the research center and eye clinic. There are many doctors who can come to us and speak to what they do and have accomplished and answer your questions. There are so many ways they can help us as Lions as well and you all need to know who to contact. Currently if you have questions please contact me at 203-509-3994 or email me at d1force2@aol.com.      I will follow up this with a list of events and presentations that may interest you. We are all part of the Connecticut Lions Eye Research Foundation and your continued support is needed. I know when you hear about the new program you will want to know more on how you can support our foundation, and I will forward all that information to you in the up -coming weeks. Lions Dan DiVirgilio President Torrington Lions CLERF Chairman 2009-2010

Check out the information about the CLERF

Golf Outing for 2010 below.

Don't miss this one! 

District 23B has donated to CLERF since 1956, and the total from all clubs is $1,274,666.23

 New Annoucement!

The 25 anniversary of the CLERF Golf Outing is now in it's planning stage and there will be some exciting changes and additions to the format of the golfing and the day's events

Some quick highlights that are in the process:

1. Multiple golfing venues in each District.. This will allow our golfers to play locally and hopefully will boast our attendance.

2. Additional perks for sponsors based on their contribution and donations levels. This will give them greater exposure to all members of the CLERF,

which is every Lion in the State of Connecticut.

3. Bigger and more prizes to our golfers. This will increase the excitment and incentive for additional players.

4. Various golfing and dinner and entertainment packages. This will allow non-golfers to participate and enjoy the fun and entertainment, and still be able to

get something exciting and valauble for their sponsorship money.

5. Guest speakers at the dinner sites from Yale and UCONN for an informative presentation of all the good work they have done,

and an insight into the Future Vision for Yale.

6. A brand new exclusive program that will reward the Lion Clubs that help obtain golfers and sponsors for this 25 Anniversary Golf Outing.

That will be announced at the Mid-Winter conference during our Clerf presentation. You don't want to miss that!