A BRIEF HISTORY:

The International Association of Lions Clubs began as the dream of Chicago businessman Melvin Jones. He believed that local business clubs should expand their horizons from purely professional concerns to the betterment of their communities and the world at large. Jones' own group, the Business Circle of Chicago, agreed. After contacting similar groups around the country, an organizational meeting was held on June 7, 1917, at the LaSalle Hotel in Chicago. A plaque, later found when the La Salle Hotel was demolished, stated “Lions International, Founded at the La Salle Hotel, Chicago, on June 17, 1917 — We Serve”

 In 1925 Helen Keller, who was blind from birth, challenged the Lions Organization to become "Knights of the Blind & Hearing Impaired" and to focus it's attention on assisting the blind.  Since its inception, all Lions Clubs are dedicated to assisting with medical care, eye glasses, and assistance for the blind, Additionally we address numerous other needs.  Lions Clubs are now established in every country in the world, encompassing 46,000 clubs and 1.35 million members, the largest organization of its kind.

The Lions’ scope of assistance covers many areas, and people around the world have bonded together in recognizing the importance of giving to those who are less fortunate.  Lions Clubs are known for fighting blindness, providing disaster relief, helping their own communities, and offering programs for youth, awarding scholarships and donating assistance and money to other charitable groups.

The Tyler Lions Club was founded August 27,1931, and celebrates 91 years of service to our community.  The club serves the community in many ways including providing vision screening and eyeglasses assistance  for those in need.