www.lionsclubs.org
We Serve - Nearly 1.4 million Lions members in 190 countries and geographic areas answer the needs that challenge the communities of the world. Lions tackle tough problems like blindness, drug abuse prevention and diabetes awareness.
Global neighbors - Lions members provide immediate and sustained relief in time of disaster and offer long-term assistance to those in need. Lions collect and recycle eyeglasses for distribution in developing countries and treat millions of people to prevent river blindness.
Community Leaders - Lions improve the quality of life in their local communities by building parks and playgrounds, and by senior citizen and youth programs and medical care for those in need.
Preventing blindness - Ever since Helen Keller in 1925 addressed the Lions, their primary mission have been to rid the world of preventable and reversible blindness and provide services for people who already are blind or visually impaired.
Youth Programs - Lions International has many youth programs - Youth Outreach, Leo Clubs, Youth Exchange, Youth Camps, Quest, a drug prevention program, and creative competitions as Peace Poster and Speak Out. Local clubs also support graduating H.S. seniors with scholarships.
The oldest service organization - For 86 years, whenever there is a need at home or around the world, Lions members are there to help.
Lions give it back - Every penny raised by Lions is given back to the communities. The organization itself is financed solely through membership.
The International Association of Lions Clubs began in 1917 as the dream of Chicago businessman Melvin Jones. He believed that local business clubs should expand their horizons from purely professional concerns to the betterment of their communities and the world at large.
Among the objects adopted in those early years was one that read, "No club shall hold out the financial betterment of its members as its object." This call for unselfish service to others remains one of the association's main tenets.
Just three years after its formation, the association became international when the first club in Canada was established in 1920. Major international expansion continued as clubs were established, particularly throughout Europe, Asia and Africa during the 1950s and '60s.
In 1925, Helen Keller addressed the Lions international convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, USA. She challenged Lions to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness." From this time, Lions clubs have been actively involved in service to the blind and visually impaired.
Broadening its international role, Lions Clubs International helped the United Nations form the Non-Governmental Organizations sections in 1945 and continues to hold consultative status with the U.N.
In 1990, Lions launched its most aggressive sight preservation effort, SightFirst. The US$143.5 million program strives to rid the world of preventable and reversible blindness by supporting desperately needed health care services.
In addition to sight programs, Lions Clubs International is committed to providing services for youth. Lions clubs also work to improve the environment, build homes for the disabled, support diabetes education, conduct hearing programs and, through their foundation, provide disaster relief around the world.
Lions Clubs International has grown to include 1.4 million men and women in 44,600 clubs located in 190 countries and geographic areas. Lions Clubs International is now the world's largest and oldest service club organization with clubs around the world.
