(Editor's note: the following letter was sent to the Jericho-Brookville Lions Club. It is being reprinted here at the author's request.)

My name is Eileen Petroski and I am Ron Petroski's daughter-in-law. I have a child with disabilities, which as you know can be emotionally, as well as financially challenging. My son Michael is 15 years old - how the time has flown, and over the course of his life you have been generous in your assistance.

Michael was diagnosed as extremely farsighted when he was merely 6 years old. We found out his glasses, due to the amount of correction, and the need for safety lenses to protect his precious eyes, would cost us $300. We were unaware that insurance would not cover something like that, and at the same time financially unprepared to take on such an expense. Michael's grandfather (Poppy) assured us that it would be okay because the Lions help children in need all the time, why couldn't they help us too!

We were able to get Mike glasses right away, and you have been there to help with that expense on several other occasions. We were so lucky and thankful to benefit from the charity of your organization. We also felt the prayers and concern when we went through Mike's open-heart surgery, and we are grateful for the support we have felt over the years.

This September Michael started high school. The teachers and counselors we were in touch with last summer all agreed that the best chance Mike would have to keep up with the curriculum, and his peers in ninth grade would be for him to have a laptop computer. The hand tremors he has would make it impossible for him to take notes, tests, and to keep track of his homework and daily schedule.

The teachers thought they would be able to convince the school district that this was a necessary tool to facilitate Mike's education, and to level the playing field with his peers a bit. They obviously overestimated the feeling of responsibility that the district would have, consequently we were quickly approaching the first day of school without the equipment we had come to believe was vital to Michael's education. Again Ron came to us and said, "I am not sure, but maybe the Lions could help on this one too." Two weeks later Mike had the computer, and was well on his way.

We are at the halfway point of Michael's freshman year of high school, and he has made the high honor roll both quarters so far (90 the first quarter, and 91 the second), has the highest average in his Regents earth science class (92), and is on track to pass all his required Regents classes for the year. Before this year school was difficult and unappealing to Mike, but with the right tools he has found that he is a very bright and capable student. The confidence Mike has achieved this year even opened the door for him to manage the junior varsity football team, a life-changing event.

I thought you would appreciate knowing how your assistance has changed my son's life. The self confidence he has gained by being on the same academic level as his peers has given him the ability to try other things, and for that I am grateful, but hope you can appreciate that I sincerely hope that we never need your help again. But it is nice to know that your organization is there just in case.

Eileen Petroski