United In Service

Marshall Residents support Native American Vision Clinic

By DONNA DAINES

Staff Writer

The Marshall Lions Club, Marshall United Methodist Church, Trinity Episcopal Church and the Marshall Knights of   Columbus Council 5999 are partnering   with “We're All God's Children" (W.A.G.C.), a Christian non-profit group, to provide new eyeglasses to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota through its fourth annual mobile vision clinic.  The groups’ collaboration will provide free vision clinics to the Lakota - Sioux tribe.

Two of the counties being served by this project are the two poorest counties in the United States.

New sunglasses and new reading glasses (or cash to buy them) are needed by Sept. 7, since the group is departing for South Dakota on Sept. 9.   Inexpensive dollar store glasses are fine.

The clinic will begin Sept. 12.

Drop-off boxes for the new glasses and sunglasses are at Trinity Episcopal Church, at 101 E. Mansion Street; Marshall United Methodist Church, located at 14711 Old US 27 North;  Marshall ad-visor&chronicle at 514 S. Kalamazoo, and downtown at Zarzuela Restaurant,  at 301 E. Michigan Avenue, and Salon Essentials at 110 W. Michigan Avenue.

“We connected with W.A.G.C. while looking for an alternative way to get eye glasses to Zambia,” said David Begg of Marshall, founder of a local volunteer group “United in Service”.   “We had set an ambitious goal of sending 2,000 pairs of eye glasses to Zambia in 2011.  One of the groups we were working with was not able to take as many glasses as we had hoped.   Rather than discouragement we actually felt excited.  We knew God had a perfect plan, even if we didn't know what it was.  We spoke with Carol Fanelli, president of W.A.G.C. and she was delighted to hear from us.  She too felt God's Spirit was moving to bring us together.  Their group needed more glasses for their Zambian clinics.

“What we never could have anticipated was W.A.G.C. was also conducting vision clinics on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota.  Besides our eye glasses program, United in Service has been developing a Native American initiative program.

“Earlier this summer we helped send youth from the Salem Indian Mission Church to a Native American leadership camp.  We were looking for another Native American outreach project.  Well, it found us!”

Both in Zambia and on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, the vision clinics distribute used eye glasses.   United in Service volunteers in Marshall collect, sort and clean them   then send them on to other groups.

“Although we accept all types of glasses, we are especially eager to collect reading and sunglasses for this Pine Ridge Clinic,” said Begg. Even inexpensive reading glasses and sunglasses will be appreciated.  Many discount stores have these glasses available for as little as $1 each.

In addition to shipping eye glasses to W.A.G.C., some of the Marshall   United in Service members are hoping to join the W.A.G.C. team in South Dakota for its trip to the Pine Ridge Reservation.

“‘United in Service’" is the name we use for the local volunteers,” continued Begg.   “Collectively we are a kind of Marshall Laypersons Association.   Like the U.S. Mail or United Parcel Service, we connect the donors with the people who need the donations.

“In 2009 the group began collecting glasses for a United Methodist Eye Clinic in Cameroon.  Then this year as it stretched itself to supply thousands of pair of glasses to clinics in Zambia.  United In Service has also provided hundreds of pairs of glasses for clinics in Mexico. Currently talks are in progress with a group in Tennessee that needs glasses for clinics in Sierra Leone.”

The Marshall Lions Club, along with other area Lions Clubs, supplies the bulk of the used eye glasses.

The Pine Ridge clinics have also become an extension of the mission work done by the West Michigan Diocese of the Episcopal Church.  Marshall's Trinity Episcopal Church is partnering with the project.  The Episcopalians have been sending mission teams to the Pine Ridge Reservation for several years and have seen firsthand the devastating effects of poverty on the Lakota people.

“The Marshall United Methodist Church has become Eye Glasses Central,” said Begg.  “That is where most of the work on the glasses is done, and where the glasses are stored.  The Methodists have also been an important link to other groups who operate free eye clinics.

“I think it is fair and accurate to say this is a Trinity Church project,” Begg continued.  “It is certainly a Marshall United Methodist Church project.  It is definitely a Lions Club project.  The Knights of Columbus are credited for supporting the largest project we've worked on, an incinerator project for a hospital in Cameroon.  Their support of the eye clinics is greatly appreciated, so it is fair to say it is their project too.  So whose project is it really?  It is the project of the One who moves us all to serve with joyful hearts!  Can I get an "Amen"? concluded Begg.

The deadline for donations to the clinics on the Pine Ridge is Sept. 7 but United In Service will   gratefully receive donations year round and add them to its general inventory.

For more information or to make a financial contribution please call 269-781-9627 or write to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

POW WOW

Grand Entry 2008 Red Bird Pow Wow-Photo by Bruce P. Hamilton

The warm summer months bring a flurry of activities and adventures. If you are looking for something new, attending a Pow Wow can be a great family outing.

Pow Wows are a time of gathering together for Native Americans. They offer opportunities to reconnect with family and friends, celebrate cultural traditions, honor ancestors, and have fun in the process.

An important part of any Pow Wow are teh dances. Several types of dances are common, some are Honor Dances, many are Round Dances and others will be "Inter-Tribal" which means everyone is welcome to join in the dance. Some Pow Wows feature dance competitions. Many dancers wear traditional outfits that express the rich heritage of Native Americans.

The singers and dummers are essential components of the Pow Wow. They support and energize the dances. The rhythm of the drums have a unifying effect on all who attend.

Other interesting and fun elements of many Pow Wows are the vendors. A wide variety of merchandise is typically available including Native American arts and crafts, books, and C.D's and of course food. Indian fry bread is standard fare, and to satisfy the Native palette, try the mouth watering wild rice soup, or a Buffalo Burger.

Pow Wows have rules of etiquette and it is good to keep these few courtesies in mind. Dress, and act respectfully. Do NOT touch anything that is not yours. Pay close attention to the announcer who will periodically give information regarding Inter-tribal dances and when NOT to take photographys. For a free list of 23 Rules of Pow Wow Etiquette, please send an e-mail request to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Want to go to a Pow Wow?

Trinity Episcopal Church has scheduled a Family Field Trip for Sunday, June 26th. The group will car-pool from the parking lot across the street from Trinity Church (101 E. Mansion Street in Marshall, MI) to the "Honoring Our Sisters" Pow Wow in Brooklyn, MI. Entry is $5 per person, and the travel time is one hour roughly.The group will depart at 11:30 AM sharp. Maps and Etiquette handouts will be available.

For more information, contact David Begg at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .