Giving
Vinman’s VIPs is a program; of the Lions Club of Parkersburg that raises money to purchase the following for children in Wood County, WV who are severely visually disabled:
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro (256 GB, cellular enabled)
- Protective Case
- Apple Pen
- Backpack
The inspiration for Vinman’s VIPs idea came from the good deed done for Vincent Post III by his mother, Marlene Wuchner Sheridan, after he lost much of his vision in his left eye from Non-Arteritic Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION), Vincent was born completely blind in his right eye. As he was trying to find ways to better communicate with his family and friends, and keep working; he talked about it with his wife, Christine, and his mother. Marlene insisted on the 12.9 inch iPad Pro, and then insisted on purchasing it for Vincent. This good deed inspired Vincent to pay it forward, and Vinman’s VIPs was born.
Since its inception as a Lions Club of Parkersburg project in 2021, Vinman's VIPs has raised over $23,000 and has purchased an iPad package for one student in Wood County each school year since 2022. Recipients of the iPad package are invited to and given recognition at the Lions Club of Parkersburg's Out of Sight Dinner in April each year.
The main fundraising activity for Vinman’s VIPs is the Lions Club of Parkersburg's Halloween Cash Bingo for Sight held in the Fall of each year.