In 2012, Donna Hall lost most of her sight, and with it, some of her independence.

Tuesday, Hall found out that would soon be changing thanks the generosity of the local Lions Club and the National Honor Society at St. Aloysius High School, where she has served as maintenance staff for 30 years. The organizations collectively raised $900 to purchase Hall a pair of specialty reading glasses.

During a surprise assembly and presentation Tuesday morning, Hall told an audience she had always been a great talker, but that the gesture had left her speechless.

“I’ve been here 30 years, and I’ve seen them come and go, and we’ve got grandkids running around here at St. Francis,” she said. “Words cannot express how I feel.”

When asked with the first thing she planned to do what her newfound vision, Hall simply replied she was excited to read her Bible.

“I would be able to read,” she said. “Even though I have the cassettes, there’s nothing like picking up that book.”

Through it all, Hall said she never lost faith.

“The Bishop came in, and he prayed over my eyes, and I never lose faith and hope, I just give it to God and leave it,” she said. “When I left that classroom, something just came over me. I was freed.”

St. Aloysius principal Dr. Buddy Strickland said little did Hall know, later that day the news came that fundraising for her new glasses was complete.

Lions Club president Susan Johnston and sight chairperson Jeannie Melton led the presentation, and Johnston said she was so thankful the honor society was about to partner with them to fund Hall’s new glasses.

“We came up with a check for $500, and the honor society of this fabulous school, that is known for its loving and caring, came up with a check for $400,” Melton said. “This is from lots of caring people. This is love. This is Christ’s love.”

St. Aloysius National Honor Society president Rett Verhine said his organization teamed up with the Lions Club over the past year to raise the money for the specialty glasses.

“We had different fundraisers and donations throughout the year in addition to the money we have that we can spend each year,” he said. “She’s just been here so long, 30 years, and she’s done so much for our school that we wanted to be able to give something back to her.”

Hall said she fells especially blessed this Christmas season.

“They don’t have a clue what they have done for me,” she said. “This is a Merry Christmas!”