In 1925, Helen Keller challenged Lions to become Knights of the Blind. About 20 years ago, Lions clubs from local Districts 20-O, 20-Y2 and 20-W raised more than $1 million to establish a regional resource of excellence for people with sight problems, and the Lions Eye Institute at Albany was established.

It is located at 1220 New Scotland Road in Slingerlands, and is one of only eight in the nation and the only such facility in New York State. It serves as the outpatient clinic for the Department of Ophthalmology of Albany Medical College.

Donations to the Lions Foundation at Albany through the Knight of the Blind program support patient care and treatment for thousands of children and adults each year, as well as the residency program in specialized fields and advanced research.

Last month, the Town of Wright-Schoharie Valley Lions Club presented its first-ever Knight of the Blind Gold Award to recognize a donation of at least $10,000. The award was given to the DeBartolo family, which has contributed annually for 15 years. Bill Suchy, president of the Lions Foundation, said the Gold Lion Award was the very first one and they created the plaque template for Peter A. DeBartolo.

Rev. Peter J. DeBartolo, pastor of the Gallupville Lutheran Church, and his wife, Karen, accepted the award from Suchy to honor the pastor’s father, Lion Peter A. DeBartolo who died in 2001.

DeBartolo had served his community as a Lions member for more than 30 years. He first joined the Andover Lions Club in New Hampshire in 1970 and later transferred membership to the Concord Lions Club.

In 1990, he and his wife, Margaret, moved to Middleburgh to be near their son, the Reverend DeBartolo, his wife, Karen, and their four grandsons. DeBartolo transferred his membership to the Middleburgh/Schoharie Valley Lions Club where he held various leadership positions.

In January 1996, DeBartolo spearheaded his club’s participation in a joint effort with the Town of Wright Lions Club for emergency relief effort when a flood displaced hundreds of residents. The two clubs worked together to distribute a $10,000 Lions Clubs International Foundation grant, and additional private donations, to flood victims throughout Schoharie County.

In April 1996, DeBartolo was awarded the highest honor bestowed by the Lions District: the Robert J. Uplinger Distinguished Service Award for extraordinary service and leadership.

DeBartolo died on Feb. 4, 2001. As a memorial tribute, the two Lions clubs and several organizations and individuals donated $2,000 to the Lions Foundation at Albany. DeBartolo was honored as a Knight of the Blind, with a Bronze Lion award in his memory presented to the family. His name was inscribed on the Wall of Honor at the Lions Eye Institute at Albany.

Annual gifts by the DeBartolo family to the Lions Foundation at Albany now total more than $10,000, and the honor has been upgraded to the Knight of the Blind Gold Lion Award.