Brad Baker, CEO of Mid-South Lions Sight and Hearing Services was the guest speaker of the Stuttgart Lions Club recently. Baker spoke to the club about the effects of the pandemic on the organization.
Cody Snider, President of the Stuttgart Lions introduced Baker, who was named a Champion of Change by President Barack Obama.
“In my 31 years at Mid-South, we have helped a lot of people. Last year has been the largest struggle in 79 years,” said Baker. “We are still doing miracles.”
Mid-South does about five surgeries per month. There were about three months where they could not.
Currently, the waiting list is about 75.
Baker said what makes them able to help people is their partnerships with medical professionals who donate their services at no charge. Baker said without these partnerships they could not help all the people that they do. They provide their services to those in need at no charge.
They are currently planning a Cataractathon on June 12 at Hamilton Eye Institute and organized by the Hamilton Lions Club.
Baker said he had accepted a small business payroll protection loan for the first time in 79 years during the pandemic. Baker admits he is a shameless fundraiser and said they have made it easy for people to donate at midsouthlions.org. In the last three years, applications have increased to 300 percent. They have been able to help 40,000 families because of what the Lions do.
The Stuttgart Lions presented $1,000 to Mid-South. The Lions are selling tickets for the upcoming Shrimp Boil on April 29, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. It will be drive-thru only at the Knights of Columbus, 10th and Park Avenue. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased from any Lions Club member
