Saving Sight is proud to welcome four new members to its Board of Directors. Each brings unique experiences, professional expertise, and a shared commitment to service that will help guide our mission of changing lives by saving sight.
VCC Rachel Harper
VCC Rachel Harper has been a proud Lion since 2016, serving with the Carrollton Lions Club, the oldest club in Missouri Lions MD26-M4. For 2025–2026, she is honored to serve as District Governor for MD26-M4 and was recently elected Missouri Lions Vice Council Chair. VCC Rachel is especially passionate about learning more about First Gift, our newest tissue donation program, and contributing to its growth. Professionally, she works as a Digital Media Marketing Specialist at Carroll County Memorial Hospital, where she leads digital communications and marketing initiatives.
Lion Aaron Hoeffling
Lion Aaron Hoeffling, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, brings more than two decades of leadership experience to the board. After serving in Florida, Alaska, and Korea, he transitioned into civilian leadership roles, most recently as Plant Manager at Zephyr Manufacturing. An active Lion since 2016, Aaron has held several club and district leadership roles and will serve as Vice District Governor in 2026. Inspired by Saving Sight’s mission after attending a board meeting in 2024, he is honored to support the organization’s vision of transforming lives through restored sight
Lion Stephen “Steve” Murray
Lion Stephen “Steve” Murray joins the board with an accomplished career in utility leadership and civic engagement. He held leadership roles with Associated Industries of Missouri, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, and multiple energy associations throughout his career. Now retired, Steve continues his service as president of the Carl Junction Lions Club, where he recently led a successful Eye Mission that reached more than 100 local residents and distributed more than 75 sets of eyeglasses. He also serves on the board of directors of the Joplin Association for the Blind and was nominated to Saving Sight’s board in June 2025
CC Wendetta (Wendy) N. Williams
CC Wendetta (Wendy) N. Williams brings distinguished leadership experience as both a Lion and a veteran. She is the Council Chairperson for MD-26 Missouri Lions from 2025–2026 and has served in numerous roles within the Fort Leonard Wood Lions Club, including president and treasurer. In recognition of her service, she received the International President’s Leadership Award. CC Wendy retired as a Colonel after 30 years in the U.S. Army Reserves and currently serves as an Operations Research Analyst for the Department of the Army at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
Together, VCC Rachel, Lion Aaron, Lion Steve, and CC Wendy represent a diverse range of leadership, service, and dedication to community. We are excited to welcome them to the Board of Directors and look forward to their guidance in furthering Saving Sight’s life-changing mission.
Saving Sight is proud to highlight First Gift, a new division within our organization that strengthens our ability to change lives through donation. First Gift represents an important step forward in expanding our impact beyond corneal transplantation and into new areas where donated tissues can bring comfort, healing, and hope.
Through the First Gift program, new and expectant mothers can donate their placental and umbilical cord tissues after birth. These tissues, often discarded, hold powerful healing properties that can be used in a wide range of medical treatments. They support patients receiving ocular therapies and play an important role in helping individuals recover from non-healing skin wounds and serious burns. In many cases, these tissues promote healing that would not otherwise be possible.
Remarkably, just one mother’s donation can help up to 75 individuals regain comfort, mobility, and independence.
First Gift is now established in two partner hospitals, and we look forward to expanding its reach as more hospitals join the program. Each new partnership strengthens our connection to families, enhances the donation process, and allows Saving Sight to serve our communities in new and meaningful ways.
By embracing innovative opportunities like First Gift, we continue to advance Saving Sight’s mission to transform lives through donation and transplantation. To learn more about First Gift and its life-changing work, visit the
This year, Saving Sight is proud to recognize Lion Leon Hove as the 2025 Lions Ambassador of the Year, a title that reflects not only his decades of service but also his enduring passion for helping others see more clearly.
Leon first became involved with the Lions in the mid-1970s through the Joliet Noon Lions Club in Illinois. What began as a suggestion from his boss, a past president of the club, quickly turned into a lifelong commitment. But it wasn’t until Leon screened a child for amblyopia using the old Polaroid method, and saw her again months later, proudly wearing glasses and able to see better, that he truly “became a Lion.”
That moment sparked a passion for vision that has guided his service for nearly 50 years.
“I don’t do the things I do for recognition or awards,” Leon says. “It’s enough for me to see the smiles and joy of those we serve. I receive more pleasure from that than they do.”
Leon has dedicated countless hours to vision programs, including KidSight screenings and international eye missions in Mexico and Panama. In 2018, he helped found the Missouri Lions Eye Mission Foundation, creating a 501(c)(3) organization to expand access to vision care. While COVID-19 initially paused those efforts, the foundation pivoted, and in 2024 alone, the Missouri Lions hosted 37 missions serving more than 2,500 people. The momentum continues to grow, with Lions in neighboring states now seeking to bring similar missions to their communities.
A particularly meaningful milestone came in November 2024, when Leon helped lead a clinic at St. Peter and Paul Church in St. Louis, providing recycled eyeglasses to 33 unhoused individuals.
“That was the start of something beyond my wildest dreams,” he says.
Leon’s commitment to vision is also personal. He saw firsthand the challenges his late wife faced due to corneal disease, and he reflects often on what it would mean to lose the ability to see the people and world around him. Now, at nearly 84 years old, he’s still advocating, volunteering and working toward change — even as he prepares to relocate to Arizona to be closer to his daughter.
“I’ve learned Arizona has laws that prohibit the distribution of recycled eyeglasses,” he says. “That’s my new goal — to help change that. There is such a huge need.”
As part of his ambassador recognition, a $1,000 donation was made to the Missouri Lions Eye Mission Foundation, a gesture Leon says is the most meaningful part of the award.
“The fact that it will help buy equipment and supplies to continue our work means everything to me,” he says. “If being named Ambassador of the Year inspires even one person to serve, that would be the greatest accomplishment of all.”
In 1960, Saving Sight began its journey of restoring vision through charitable vision programs, showing a commitment to community needs and a spirit of generosity. While the delivery of our programs has evolved, our legacy of giving continues to thrive through our mission partners. In 2021, Saving Sight’s board of directors established a board-designated quasi-endowment fund to support grants given to charitable organizations with a similar mission. We are proud to share the impact of grants given to four outstanding organizations in fiscal year 2023-2024: Missouri Lions Eye Mission Foundation, KidSight, Show Me Lions Eyeglass Recycling, and Mid-South Lions Sight and Hearing Service.
KidSight – $41,500
KidSight used this grant in general operating support, allowing the organization to expand its free vision screenings and follow-up services for children statewide. So far this year, KidSight has screened more than 43,000 children, an increase of over 4,000 from the previous year, and referred nearly 3,900 to local eye doctors for full exams. The program now serves 100 Missouri counties, up from 94 last year, and continues to grow. With additional grant support, KidSight also partnered with local eyecare providers and hosted mobile vision clinic days in Boone and Jackson counties, delivering 37 free eye exams and 36 pairs of glasses to students in need.
Missouri Lions Eye Mission Foundation – $16,500
Missouri Lions Eye Mission Foundation utilized this grant to purchase new digital fundus cameras and vision screeners—equipment that allowed them to have two sets of identical equipment for events across the state. So far, the foundation has hosted 21 mission events with 19 more scheduled, enabling greater access to care in every Lions district. The new tools have also inspired a renewed sense of purpose and energy among volunteers, strengthening the reach and impact of Lions Clubs across Missouri.
Show Me Lions Eyeglass Recycling – $2,000
Show Me Lions Eyeglass Recycling used this grant to improve building accessibility and enhance warehouse functionality. Upgrades included restroom grab bars, improved signage, and new shelving to better organize recycled eyeglasses. The center also added essential equipment like a pallet jack and hand truck to support the transport of eyeglass deliveries and shipments. Thousands of bags, printer supplies, and cleaning tools were also purchased. Much of the labor and supplemental materials were donated by volunteers, reflecting the center’s deep roots in community support and service.
Saving Sight’s board of directors remains committed to supporting our mission partners in their efforts to restore vision and improve lives. At their most recent meeting in June 2025, Saving Sight’s board granted the following additional funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year:
• KidSight – $30,000 • Missouri Lions Eye Mission Foundation – $13,000 • Mid-South Lions Sight and Hearing Service – $9,500 • Show Me Lions Eyeglass Recycling Program – $7,500
The grants provided this year have empowered these organizations to expand their services, enhance their capabilities, and serve more individuals in need. We are proud of the collective impact we have made and look forward to continuing our legacy of changing lives by saving sight for years to come.
For Lonna, a cornea transplant meant the difference between a life half‐seen and life brought back into clear focus. Her journey began when routine eye discomfort revealed a deeper problem: a scarred cornea that made everyday life “very fuzzy,” she said, and left her legally blind in one eye.
Her ophthalmologist referred Lonna to Saving Sight corneal surgeon partner Dr. Thomas in Springfield, MO, and Lonna didn’t hesitate. “I wanted it right away,” she recalled. Tests confirmed that without intervention, she risked losing vision permanently. Within weeks, Lonna sat in the operating room—awake but at ease—watching the team at work.
The procedure took less than 30 minutes, and Lonna felt almost nothing. By her first follow-up, she’d read two more lines on the eye chart. “I have had zero issues, and it’s just been amazing,” she said. Six months later, Dr. Thomas told her the transplant was “textbook perfect.”
Lonna’s renewed sight has already changed her daily life. She’s back to reading books before bed and driving to her grandchildren’s school plays without hesitation. But more than that, she’s rediscovered the simple joys she once took for granted—like watching the sunrise in her backyard. “I couldn’t see well at all,” she said. “Now I notice every leaf on the trees.”
Throughout her recovery, Lonna has carried deep gratitude for the donor hero who made her new cornea possible. “Someone selflessly gave me the gift of sight,” she said. “It’s overwhelming.” That gratitude, she hopes, will inspire others to register as donors. “You might be able to change someone’s world just by checking that box,” she said.
Lonna’s journey reminds us that a single choice can have a lasting impact. “I tell everyone: sign up for the registry, you never know whose life you could change,” she said. Through her restored sight, she hopes countless others will discover that same gift—and that more lives will be brought into focus.
At Saving Sight, we are proud to recognize the Lions who embody the spirit of service through their dedication to changing lives by saving sight. This year’s 2025 Lions Ambassador of the Year Award nominees inspire all of us with their passion, leadership, and impact across Missouri and beyond.
Lion Glendon Sattler nominated by DG Wendetta Williams
Lion Glendon Sattler has been a driving force behind the Perryville Lions Club’s volunteerism with the KidSight program since 2019. Thanks to his leadership, screenings now reach all preschools and school districts in Perry County. Since 2019, 1,946 children have been screened, with more than 200 referred for further care, ensuring a brighter future for countless young lives.
Lion Mary Jane Noellsch nominated by DG Carol Deters
Lion Mary Jane Noellsch leads with heart and commitment. Since 2019, she has helped “Team Bowling Green” conduct 155 screenings for more than 8,400 children. Her nursing background brings exceptional expertise and compassion to every screening. Beyond the field, she has served on the KidSight board, strengthening the organization at every level.
PDG Leon Hove nominated by DG Frank Lambrecht, DG Michelle Foster, and the Saving Sight Board of Directors
PDG Leon Hove is a tireless champion for the Missouri Lions Eye Mission Foundation. Since joining Lions in 1977, Lion Leon’s work has helped expand access to eye care locally and internationally. From transporting box after box of eyeglasses to leading eye missions across Missouri, Panama, and Mexico, Leon’s commitment leaves a legacy. His role in establishing the Missouri Lions Eye Mission as a 501(c)(3) organization demonstrates his visionary leadership.
PDG Wayne Cunningham and Lion Susan Cunningham nominated by VCC Tina Anderson
PDG Wayne Cunningham and Lion Susan Cunningham exemplify service through action. Together, they have screened an incredible 18,500 children across preschools, schools, and daycares. Often traveling multiple days a week and covering two to three locations per day, they bring the Lions’ motto “We Serve” to life in a powerful way.
Karen Noel nominated by DG Mikey Beach
Karen Noel has forged a strong partnership with the Lions through her leadership in organizing community eye missions in the Kansas City area. Her vision also brought about a project to recycle eyeglasses at Catholic Charities’ new headquarters, helping to expand the Lions’ impact and sustainability efforts.
PDG Devin Struttmann nominated by CC Sherl Horton
PDG Devin Struttmann has been instrumental in growing the eye mission program statewide. His leadership and infectious enthusiasm have inspired many to join the cause, allowing more individuals, both children and adults, to receive the gift of sight.
Each of these remarkable Lions has strengthened our mission and touched countless lives along the way. We are proud to honor these nominees who give so much of themselves in service to others. They embody the very best of who the Lions are: compassionate, committed, and united in service to others. Congratulations to our 2025 nominees and thank you for helping change lives by saving sight!
At Saving Sight, we are proud to recognize the Lions who embody the spirit of service through their dedication to changing lives by saving sight. This year’s 2025 Lions Ambassador of the Year Award nominees inspire all of us with their passion, leadership, and impact across Missouri and beyond.