The LIONS movement began in Chicago, Illinois in 1917 and by 1922 clubs existed in Columbia, Orangeburg, Spartanburg, Greenville and Anderson. In Sumter it was not until the late 1930's when some newcomers, who were LIONS, came to Sumter. On May 28, 1939, with 20 members, District Governor Allen Lambright of Spartanburg presented a charter to the Sumter Lions Club. The following years have seen growth in the numbers and fellowship with all funds raised through projects benefiting visually and hearing impaired as well as numerous other local, statewide and national Lions charities directly. The majority of funds raised are spent in Sumter county. Our club meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 1:00PM, with a board meeting the third Tuesday. Membership is by invitation by being sponsored by an existing LION.

Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world.