What is LIONS ?
Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization. We have 1.35 million members in more than 46,000 clubs worldwide.
Lions are everywhere. We're men and women who are active in community projects in more than 208 countries adn geographic areas.
Lions have a dynamic history. Melvin Jones, a 38-year-old Chicago business leader, asked a simple and world-changing question – what if people put their talents to work improving their communities? Almost 100 years later, Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization, with 1.35 million members in more than 46,000 clubs and countless stories of Lions acting on the same simple idea: let's improve our communities.
Local Community Projects
Lions are active. Our motto is "We Serve." Lions are part of a global service network, doing whatever is necessary to help our local communities.
Lions give sight. By conducting vision screenings, equipping hospitals and clinics, distributing medicine and raising awareness of eye disease, Lions work toward their mission of providing vision for all. We have extended our commitment to sight conservation through countless local community projects and through our international SightFirst Program, which works to eradicate blindness.
Lions serve youth. Our community projects often support local children and schools, through scholarships, recreation and mentoring. Internationally, we offer many programs, including the Peace Poster Contest, Youth Camps and Exchange and Lions Quest. And our Leo Program provides personal development through youth volunteer opportunities. There are approximately 144,000 Leos and 5,700 Leo clubs in more than 140 countries worldwide.
Lions award grants. Since 1968, the Lions Clubs International Foundation has awarded more than US$700 million in grants to support Lions humanitarian community projects around the world. Together, our Foundation and Lions are helping communities following natural disasters by providing for immediate needs such as food, water, clothing and medical supplies – and aiding in long-term reconstruction
Lions Clubs International Mission and History
In 1917, Melvin Jones , a 38-year-old Chicago business leader, told members of his local business club they should reach beyond business issues and address the betterment of their communities and the world. Jones' group, the Business Circle of Chicago, agreed.
After contacting similar groups around the United States, an organizational meeting was held on June 7, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The new group took the name of one of the invited groups, the "Association of Lions Clubs," and a national convention was held in Dallas, Texas, USA in October of that year. A constitution, by-laws, objects and a code of ethics were approved.
Just three years after our founding, Lions became international when we established the first club in Canada. Mexico followed in 1927. In the 1950s and 1960s international growth accelerated, with new clubs in Europe, Asia and Africa.
Helen Keller addressed the Lions Clubs International Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, USA, and challenged Lions to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness." Since then, we have worked tirelessly to aid the blind and visually challenged.
In the late 1950s, we created the Leo Program to provide the youth of the world with an opportunity for personal development through volunteering. There are approximately 144,000 Leos and 5,700 Leo clubs in more than 140 countries worldwide.
Lions Clubs International Foundation assists Lions with global and large-scale local humanitarian projects. Through our Foundation, Lions meet the needs of their local and global communities.
Through SightFirst, Lions are restoring sight and preventing blindness on a global scale. Launched in 1990, Lions have raised more than $346 million for this initiative. SightFirst targets the major causes of blindness: cataract, trachoma, river blindness, childhood blindness, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.
Early Bird Lions History
In 1978, the Moose Jaw Lions Club was thriving and large. A small group of LIons from that club looked at the men in the community and wondered whether a second club that met in the morning would serve the needs of busy men with family obligations and busy lives. Those Lions invited friends and family and the Early Bird Lions Club was established. Several of those Charter members are still active today.
Since then Early Bird Lions have been known for many service projects and contributions to the city of Moose Jaw, Province of Saskatchewan and abroad. Whether selling firewood, promoting comedy shows, or the most recent large project of the Duck Derby, the money earned has gone to the needy, the blind, and to help whereever needed. Working on service projects builds community and friendships while serving others.
Women have played a large part of our Lions International and in Moose Jaw. Originally the women's mission was to support Lion's projects, but as time went by Lion'L's clubs became Lioness clubs and invited women that were not Lions' spouses. In 1986 Lions became truely "co-ed." Lioness clubs continued to thrive. Unfortunately Moose Jaw's Lioness Club had to close in 2013 and some of those women are joining other women and men in the Lions Clubs of the city.
Lions everywhere live up to their motto "We Serve".
