HISTORY OF LION'S CLUB

In 1917, Melvin Jones made a proposal to a group of businessmen and friends in Chicago. The idea was that they be of service to their fellow man, without any hope of personal gain. This resulted in the founding of the organization to be known as the Lion’s Club.

In 1925, the featured speaker at the annual Lion’s convention was Helen Keller. She challenged the Lions to become “Knights of the Blind” and to play an active role in the battle against blindness.

Today, the words “sight” and “Lions” have become interwoven and Lions International has become the largest service organization in the world. 

TEWKSBURY LIONS CLUB

The Town of  Tewksbury has a very special relationship with Helen Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan.  Anne Sullivan spent much of her time at the State Hospital here in town where she gained experience later expended on Helen Keller.  

In the center of our town on the grounds of the Town Hall, there is a statue honoring Anne Sullivan and Helen Keller. There is a building on the hospital campus named after Anne Sullivan.

We now have Lions clubs in most every country in the world, and well over one million members. Each member has promised to follow the original ideals established by Melvin Jones. We have not only been a leader in the battle against blindness and eye related diseases but have come to be known as active contributors to the community in which we live.

The Tewksbury Lions Club was chartered on November 14, 1954 and, although we have a reputation as a fun club, we are also a very hard  working club, having raised over $400,000 for eye research. In addition, we have contributed many thousands of dollars to other charities and deserving functions. One of our major fund raisers each year is the Annual Golf Tournament. We also raise considerable amounts by way of our March Madness campaign, canister drive, and other fundraisers.

In this club, we take the Lion’s motto, “We Serve”, very seriously.

1930: Rare footage of Helen Keller speaking with the help of Anne Sullivan.
It's truly amazing what a warm heart and patience can achieve.