“Everything good begins with someone’s dream,” Frances Coates told the Columbus Lions at a recent meeting.

For the Lion’s-owned McCune Center in Black Mountain, the dream belonged to Marjorie McCune, the first blind caseworker with the NC Division of

Services for the Blind in Buncombe County. She dreamed of a “happy home” with a compassionate and caring staff that could assist the blind in their daily chores and activities, while restoring their pride and dignity. She approached the Lions Club with her idea and in 1979, after years of planning and fundraising, the Marjorie McCune Memorial Center became a reality.

Today, it continues as a licensed adult care assisted and independent living facility owned and operated by the Lions of Western North Carolina.  Beginning with 40 beds, it now is home to 64 residents who need assistance due to age, blindness or disabilities. Independent living cottages are also available on the campus.

The McCune Center is somewhat unusual in that there are no geographical limits from which the residents must come and there is no limit on the number of Medicaid supported residents (usually 80 percent).  Approximately 25 percent of the residents are blind and more than10 percent are veterans. The Columbus Club is proud to support the McCune Center through visits and gifts as well as a yearly donation through Western NC Lions. Most recently they purchased a TV for the facility.

Helping people with vision and hearing impairments is a primary mission of the Columbus Lions. In addition, Lions Clubs International is engaged in a campaign to eliminate all avoidable blindness worldwide. If you would like to learn more about being a Lion and what Lions do in our community, call Helen Trevathan, 828-894-7062. The Columbus Lions meet on the first and third Thursdays at Calvert’s Kitchen in Columbus. Visitors are welcome.

– article submitted