The Benefits of Being a Lion
When you become a Lion, you become part of a global network of volunteers working together to make a difference. Here are just a few of the great benefits you can expect.
Join a Community of Good
There are over 48,000 Lions clubs around the world. Each is filled with people like you who’ve decided to take action and serve others. Lions form unique friendships and meaningful connections that can last a lifetime.
Put Leadership Skills into Action
A Lions club is a great place to develop your leadership skills and put them into action. Each club offers opportunities to lead, along with first-class training from our global association.
Access a Global Support System
Every Lion and club is supported by our international association. More than 300 Lions International staff members are constantly working on tools and technology to enhance your service.
Experience the Feeling of Service
At the heart of Lions clubs there is one constant: service. Giving your time and energy to others is a fantastic way to help your community. Yet, it also provides a great feeling for you that can spread and have a positive impact in your life and how you approach the world.
Our Global Causes
Every journey begins with a single step. One act of service, one encouraging word, one gift of generosity is often all it takes to bring hope where it’s needed most. Over the last 100 years, the kindness of Lions and Leos has multiplied across borders, oceans, and continents. With over 1.4 million members, we now have an opportunity to truly change our world. That’s why we’re uniting our global service around five areas of need. These Global Causes present significant challenges to humanity, and we believe it’s our turn to meet them.
Vision
Ever since Helen Keller inspired us to champion the cause in 1925, we’ve served and advocated for the blind and visually impaired. Nearly a century later, this long-standing mission continues unhindered.
Facts
253 million people are blind or have moderate to severe distance vision impairment (MSVI)
1.1 billion have near-vision impairment simply because they don’t have a pair of glasses
>75% of all blindness and MSVI is avoidable
89% of people with visual impairment live in developing countries
We Have a Plan
We have a long history of serving the blind and visually impaired, and remain committed to continuing this mission into our next century of service.
Our Strategic Objective
Prevent avoidable blindness and improve quality of life for people who are blind and visually impaired.
Diabetes
We serve to reduce the prevalence of diabetes and improve quality of life for those diagnosed.
#LIONSFIGHTDIABETES
Diabetes is the signature cause of Lions and Leos around the world. This year, in partnership with the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) we’re on a mission to make our mark by screening 1 million people for type 2 diabetes. Help us reach our goal by World Diabetes Day (November 14) by taking the online risk assessment or organizing a screening.
Facts
Diabetes can lead to serious diseases affecting the heart and blood vessels, eyes, kidneys, nerves and teeth. In most high-income countries, diabetes is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower limb amputation. It is expected to affect 629 million adults by 2045.
We Have a Plan
Serving in diverse communities all over the world, we see and feel the effects of diabetes and are doing something about it together.
Our Strategic Objective
Reduce the prevalence of diabetes and improve quality of life for those diagnosed.
Hunger
We serve to ensure all community members have access to nutritious foods. We serve to improve human flourishing. We see how the global hunger and nutrition crisis bears upon our local communities, and believe true community improvement depends on the thriving of its members.
Facts
815 million people affected by hunger in 2016: 11% of the global population
155 million children under age five are stunted due to chronic malnutrition
1/3 of annual food production is lost or wasted throughout the supply chain
33% of women of reproductive age suffer from anaemia
We Have a Plan
Lions and Leos serve to improve human flourishing, and we see how the global hunger and nutrition crisis bears upon our local communities. We believe community improvement depends on the thriving of its members.
Our Strategic Objective
Ensure all community members have access to nutritious foods.
Environment
We serve to sustainably protect and restore our environment to improve the well-being of all communities. The earth sustains human life. We’ve seen how our stewardship of natural resources can improve quality of life and increase engagement in our local communities. Our environment is more than a background: it’s our home. And we’re committed to caring for it.
Facts
>3 trillion trees in the world
30% of the world’s land area is covered by forest
>15 billion trees are cut down every year
46% Estimated global decrease in tree count since the start of human civilization
We Have a Plan
Lions and Leos serve to strengthen the relationship between the community and its environment. We’ve seen how our stewardship of natural resources can improve quality of life and increase engagement in our local communities.
Our Strategic Objective
Sustainably protect and restore our environment to improve the well-being of all communities.
Childhood Cancer
We serve to help those affected by childhood cancer survive and thrive. The next generation’s ability to thrive is closely tied to the supports of the local community. Lions and Leos have seen and felt the effects of cancer on children and their families, and continue to bring hope through tangible service and support.
Facts
2 minutes a child is diagnosed with cancer every two minutes
13% increase in incidence of childhood cancer over the last 20 years
6 years average age at diagnosis of children with cancer
>90% of childhood cancer deaths occur in low resource settings
We Have a Plan
The family is a nucleus around which most communities are built. The next generation’s ability to thrive is closely tied to the supports of the local community. Lions and Leos have seen and felt the effects of cancer on children and their families, and continue to bring hope through tangible service and support.
Our Strategic Objective
Help those affected by childhood cancer survive and thrive.
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.
