Lions Clubs buy computer for Northeast Radio Reading Service

By SUZANNE MOORE
Features Editor

April 09, 2008 04:00 am

— PLATTSBURGH -- One of the computers that keeps the Northeast Radio Reading Service on the air was dying, but the Lions Club came to the rescue.
"I expected a donation for a little bit," said Alan Bechard, who coordinates North Country Center for Independence program that serves those with visual impairment. "They paid for the whole thing."
The new system cost $2,500, with the clubs in Peru, Chazy, Plattsburgh and Beekmantown each contributing $500 and Lions Club Zone C-1 kicking in the remaining $500.
"This was especially along the goals of the Lions Club," said Acting Zone Leader Bill Wilson, who belongs to the Peru group. "I think the clubs stretched a little bit to make it possible."
A primary project of the Lions Club worldwide is service to those who are blind or suffer visual impairment. According to the club's international Web site, that work began in response to a challenge from Helen Keller in 1925 during the association's international convention.
She asked them to become the "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness," the site says.
Lions operate eyeglass recycling and many other programs in the interest of sight conservation.
MANY HELPERS
The Reading Service, said Wilson, "is a great program."
With a special receiver, a person with visual impairment can listen to a broad array of programs on the radio. Volunteers read everything from Press-Republican stories to novels that are broadcast on air over a transmitter provided by WAMC North Country Public Radio. From space donated by Mountain Lake PBS in Plattsburgh, Radio Reading is on the air around the clock. The receivers are provided free to those who qualify from Clinton-Essex-Franklin Library System.
"Northeast Radio Reading Service is a conglomerate of organizations," said Bechard, naming the public stations, Library System, Center for Independence and Northeast Public Radio, which is a sub carrier, and United Way.
"The Lions Club, now," he said.
Between 35 and 40 volunteers read for the service; Bechard could use a few more and would like to hear again from some people who a few months ago expressed interest.
HUGE GIFT
A recent survey showed almost 70 receivers are in use, with at least two listeners for each and some with many more.
The new production computer joins a year-old on-air computer, both needed to produce and broadcast the programs. It replaces one of two the Reading Service bought seven years ago that was having serious problems, Bechard said.
The other one, he said, "is already dead."
The Lions Club gift came after Bechard and reader Diane Haight gave a presentation to the Peru club about the service.
"We asked them if they needed anything," Wilson said.
Bechard is still reeling from the generosity.
"It was huge," he said. "Our biggest donation up to that point was $250."

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