Maryville Lions Club collects donations outside of local businesses to support White Cane charities.

October 15 is International White Cane Safety Day. It first began in 1921 when photographer James Biggs (who became blind following an accident) painted his cane white in an effort to become more visible to others. A decade later, Lions Clubs were distributing white canes and red arm bands as identifiers that gave blind pedestrians right-of-way.

Then in 1964, U.S. Congress passed a resolution designating October 15th as official “National White Cane Safety Day.” A few years later in 1969, the International Federation of the Blind also adopted this date for formal recognition.

We collect donations near or on around this day. You will usually find us standing outside of a Walmart or other local business come rain, snow or shine! We distribute the money collected to many White Cane charities, including the Tennessee Eye Bank, the Tennessee School for the Blind and the Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic facility in Oak Ridge.

If you miss us on White Cane Collection day, consider donating online.

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