Many organizations existed in the early 1900's that allowed businessmen to work together in the promotions of their businesses. Melvin Jones had built a successful insurance business. He understood that a group of business men could greatly multiply the community service potential when they worked together. In 1917 a group of individual clubs met in Chicago, Illinois and formed The International  Association of Lions Clubs. 

At a later convention in Dallas, Texas they adopted a constitution which included two important concepts:"That no club shall hold out as one of its objectives financial benefits to its members." and "To create and foster a spirit of 'generous consideration' among the peoples of the world."  As a result of these concepts, Lions International claims the distinction of being the first "Service Club."

 Some of the organizations we support:

  -   www.lionsclubs.org/EN/lci-foundation

Lions Clubs International Foundation, the official charitable Foundation of Lions Clubs International, brings help, hope and healing to the world. Grant funding is awarded to Lions districts worldwide for large-scale humanitarian projects that address community needs.

LCIF helps people to lead healthier and more productive lives, nurtures the potential of youth, promotes health, serves the elderly, empowers the disabled and helps victims of disasters.

  -  www.lionslighthouse.org

The Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation provides vision and hearing services through education, detection, prevention and treatment. Through collaborative partners, who greatly discount their services, the Lighthouse is able to increase quality of life for Georgians in financial need.

They provide eyeglasses, exams, surgeries, and hearing aids that allow people to see and hear again.  In addition, the Lighthouse Foundation sends 100,000 pairs of recycled eyeglasses to developing countries each year.

  -  www.glcb.org

The Georgia Lions' Camp for the Blind, Inc. mission is to provide personal growth experiences for children, teens and adults with visual impairments through the use of recreation, education, socialization and rehabilitation in an outdoor setting.

We are lucky here to be a short distance from the camp located east of Waycross adjecent to Laura Walker State Park. Work weekends and special events give us a firsthand experience of life at the camp and a chance to offer “hands on” help.

  -  www.rfbd.org/southeast

Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic is the nation's largest library of audio textbooks. Their textbooks open and unlock the written word for students who have print disabilities, whether they are blind, visually impaired, or have a learning disability like dyslexia. Without RFB&D, they would be lost and left behind in their schools and communities. RFB&D is a volunteer non-profit organization.

  -  www.guidedogs.org

Southeast Guide Dog is an internationally accredited guide dog school headquartered in Palmetto, Florida and the only guide dog school in the Southeastern United States. The programs include Paws for Independence for blind and visually impaired individuals, Paws for Patriots for blind and visually impaired veterans, and Gifted Canines, which places dogs into therapy, law-enforcement and other specialized careers.

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.