San Diego ST
RS Lions Club
Club # 147567
District 4-L6 (San Diego & Imperial Counties, California)
A Star is Born!
What better way to install San Diego STARS Lions Club by celebrating the man who started it all? Nearly 100 years ago, Melvin Jones' vision became a reality: an international movement to improve not just their local communities, but also the lives of vulnerable people around the world.
Driven by a dynamic personality and a heart filled with kindness, he helped create a service movement that is still thriving today. He believed that people who are successful because of their drive, intelligence and ambition, were to put their talents to work improving their communities with the desire to help others.
He researched the idea of calling the new organization “Lions”. He was convinced that the lion stood for strength, courage, fidelity and vital action. We did our own research and thought about what our club name would be.
Our group name was not selected at random, neither was it a coined name. Some of the words that are synonymous to “lion” like courage, justice, responsibility, leadership and commitment spelled, STARS, Strength, Trust, Action, Reliability and Service. Unanimously we agreed that the Lions charter STARS is Born!
Melvin Jones, the man whose personal code, "You can't get very far until you start doing something for somebody else," became a guiding principle for public-spirited people like our club officers and members. If you check the dictionary or the internet, the word “star” has different definitions and symbolisms like humanity, divinity, hope, faith, guidance and destiny, all inspirational and guiding words that the Stars Charter will embrace and embody while providing selfless service to those who are in need. We pledge to continue the benevolent work Melvin Jones established in 1917 and strive to inspire future generations to follow suit: “Lions helping Lions serve the world”.
Lions meet the needs of local communities and the world every day because they share a core belief - to serve their community.
Lions have a dynamic history. Founded in 1917, we are best known for fighting blindness, but we also volunteer for many different kinds of community projects - including caring for the environment, feeding the hungry and aiding seniors and the disabled.
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 efforts 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.
Our Leo Program provides 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 award grants. Since 1968, the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) has awarded more than US$700 million in grants to support Lions humanitarian projects around the world. LCIF was also ranked the number one nongovernmental organization in a 2007 study by The Financial Times.
Lions help during disasters. 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 are active. Our motto is "We Serve." Lions are part of a global service network, doing whatever is necessary to help our local communities.
For more about Lions Clubs, go to www.lionsclubs.org
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.
