GAIL WHITE Lions Club fulfills wishes, puts songs in kids' hearts

Raymond Queener has a Christmas list.
"No. 1 is a karaoke machine," the seventh-grader from Volney Rogers Junior High School shares. "No. 2 is walkie-talkies, and No. 3 is the Star Wars Star Fighter video game."
Like most young people his age, Raymond has figured out the reality of Santa Claus.
"I went downstairs and saw my parents wrapping everything," he says, sharing his revelation.
But Santa Claus is about to arrive, this day, at the Saxon Club in Youngstown and he will be bearing gifts for more than 150 children.
It is the 82nd Annual Youngstown Lions Club Christmas Party for Visually Impaired and Special Needs Children.
Every year, the Youngstown Lions Club spends thousands of dollars to make the Christmas wishes of special children come true.
The club does not simply guess what each child wants. Like St. Nick himself, the Lions refer to a book and use the assistance of elves.
The children look through the J.C. Penney catalog and choose whatever they want from its pages, up to $30.
"I know what page everything is on," Raymond says very matter-of-fact.
The elves at J.C. Penney spend many hours sorting through the requests and tagging each present for its recipient. The hope is that every child's No. 1 wish will be fulfilled.
Raymond is calm and cool as he waits for Santa to arrive, but deep inside he is anxious to see if the jolly fellow will have his primary wish.
"When you put the tape in, the words pop up on the screen and you gotta sing them," Raymond says, explaining the karaoke machine he wants.
"Wouldn't you rather get some pajamas and socks?" I ask him jokingly.
He peers disapprovingly over his glasses.
Dealing with affliction
Raymond has a hereditary eye disease called retinitus pigmentosa. Without his glasses, he is almost blind.
"We are teaching Raymond how to use a long, white cane," explains Kathie Preece, from the Keystone Blind Association. It is uncertain how Raymond's disease may progress.
"With his glasses, he can see well enough to read," Kathie shares.
Turning to Raymond, she asks, "The Lions Club bought a pair of glasses for you one time, didn't they?"
"More than one time," Raymond says. "Like five times."
Eyeglasses are presents the club gives all year. Lionism is dedicated to finding a cure for blindness.
Today, however, while the Lions gifts are pleasing to the eye, their purpose is to bring joy to the heart.
"I remember the first year I was involved with the Lions Club," recalls Jerry Bryan, Youngstown Lions Club president. "A little girl at the table where I was sitting got a hat, scarf and mittens. She was so excited."
Jerry remembers thinking it was odd that this little girl had her pick of toys from the catalog and she chose a hat, scarf and mittens.
"She said she hadn't been able to go outside and play in the snow because she couldn't keep her head and hands warm," Jerry said. "That's all she wanted for Christmas."
Anticipation builds
As Santa arrives in the great room at the Saxon Club, the excitement of the children explodes.
Club members line up to carry the present each child has wished for.
Raymond's name is called and a big box is placed in front of him. He studies it carefully and then slowly begins to tear the wrapping paper.
"Hurry!" I say excitedly, but Raymond is enjoying the moment.
With the wrapping paper off, his smile reveals the contents of the box.
It is a karaoke machine, complete with a disco ball on top.
Thanks to the Youngstown Lions Club, Raymond will be singing tonight!
gwhite@vindy.com