Jill Schramm/MDN Dr. Darin Johnson, second from left, receives the Melvin Jones Fellow Award from Lion Brad Thomas. At left is Minot Lions Club President Gene Kaseman and at right is Lion Jim Johnson.

A Minot optometrist received one of the highest honors bestowed by the Lions Clubs organization on Monday, World Sight Day.

The Minot Lions Club presented Dr. Darin Johnson of Johnson Eyecare and Eyewear with a Melvin Jones Fellow award as thanks for working with the club to provide vision screenings and eyeglasses to community members for more than 15 years.

“This award is considered one of the highest honors to receive from Lions Clubs International Foundation, and Darin has definitely earned it. He and his staff have been a strong supporter of providing better vision to people across the globe through our vision program and other optometric associations. Johnson Eyecare and Eyewear is also a collection site for used eyeglasses for our Lions recycling program, some of which Darin helped administer to people in Haiti,” the club stated.

Through the Minot Lions’ vision assistance program, the club identifies applicants needing help in affording services. The club covers the cost of eyeglasses while Johnson Eyecare and Eyewear covers the cost of screenings. The Minot Lions Club provides the gift of improved eyesight through this program to between eight and 15 applicants a year.

The Melvin Jones Fellowship is named for Melvin Jones, the founder of Lions Clubs International and represents dedication to humanitarian service to the highest degree. The growth of the fellowship program has aided the Lions foundation in meeting humanitarian needs in communities around the world.

Johnson, a native of the Velva/Karlsruhe area, has owned and operated Johnson Eyecare and Eyewear since 2007. He is a past president of the North Dakota Optometric Association, having served on the board from 2014-2021.