On December 14, 1930, Dr. J. E. Blaydes, Sr. traveled to Romney, West Virginia, to examine 114 students at the West Virginia School for the Blind. He returned to Bluefield, convinced he could perform sight restoring surgery upon more than 30 of the school students.  Assisted by the West Virginia State Lions, the Romney Lions Club, and the Bluefield Lions iniated a Dramatic project. In 1931, students from the School of the Blind traveled to Bluefield where Dr. Blaydes donated his surgical services.  The result was restoring sight for 32 students permitting them to enter public school. Within another year, he had performed sight restoring surgery on 10 more students from Romney.  This sight saving tradition was handed down to the second generation, namely Dr. J. Elliot Blaydes, who has continued the eye surgeries and exams for the needy, and in 1970 was awarded the "International Order of the Lion". Dr. Stephen Blaydes, the third generation, has continued in the last two years.  Donating his surgical skills to help the needy and uninsured of this area with eye exams and eye operations, with the help of the Bluefield Lions and West Virginia Lions Sight Foundation. Both Elliot and Stephen are members of the Bluefield Lions Club.

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