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Lions Clubs International
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Photos
and Other Events
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Untwisted
Tale Newsletter
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here for free download)
Archives
Untwisted Tale
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Officers
and Chairmen
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Mission Statement
Lions Clubs International is dedicated to
helping those less fortunate in their communities and
around the world. "We Serve" became the
association's official motto at the International
Convention in New York City in 1954. Cutting across all
national, racial and cultural boundaries, activities
have included:
- Sight conservation and work with the visually
impaired
- Hearing conservation and work with the hearing
impaired
- Citizenship, educational, health and social
services
- Youth programs including drug education and
prevention, community outreach and volunteer
programs
- Diabetes detection and research
- Work for international cooperation and
understanding, including international youth camps,
youth exchange programs and Lions International
Peace Poster Contest
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History of Lions International
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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. The new group
took the name of one of the groups invited, the
"Association of Lions Clubs," and a national
convention was held in Dallas in October of that year. A
constitution, by-laws, objects and code of ethics were
approved.
Just three years after its formation, the
organization became international when the first club in
Canada was established in 1920. Major international
expansion continued as clubs were established,
particularly throughout Europe, Asia and Africa during
the 1950s and 60s. Perhaps the single event having the
greatest impact on the association's service commitment
occurred in 1925 when Helen Keller addressed
the Lions at their international convention in Cedar
Point, Ohio USA. It was there that she challenged Lions
to become "knights of the blind in the crusade
against darkness." They responded, and Lions are
now best known for their sight-related programs,
including SightFirst, the world's largest blindness
prevention program.
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For more than eighty years, Lions Clubs around the
world have been recognized for their service to the
visually impaired and hearing impaired. The majority of
the world's eye banks have been established by and are
currently supported by Lions Clubs, as are hundreds of
clinics, hospitals and eye research centers.
We provide eye exams and eyeglasses, hearing exams
and hearing aids, leader
dogs for the visually impaired and hearing dogs for
the hearing impaired. We sponsor a peace
poster contest in conjunction with the International
Association of Lions Clubs. We recycle
used eyeglasses and prepare them for people in third
world countries, where a pair of eyeglasses often costs
more than a month's wages. Watch for our eyeglass
collection boxes throughout the area.
Through our district money-raising projects, we
support such organizations as Tennessee
Lions Eye Center at Vanderbilt, Lions
World Services for the Blind in Little Rock, Mid-South
Lions Sight and Hearing Services in Memphis, and The
Star Center in Jackson.
Some of the funds we raise are used to support a
mobile sight and hearing screening van that travels to
schools, retirement centers and churches throughout our
district.
The Lions, Lionesses and Leos of District 12-L really
make a difference in their communities. Where there is a
need, they are usually there to help!
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Membership in a Lions Club is by invitation only. We
are always looking for civic minded citizens who are
willing to donate some time and effort toward making our
communities better places in which to live. You can join
us and learn more about what Lions really do to help
their fellow man. Through membership, Lions not only
help people in need, but they have opportunities to
develop personal friendships and gain valuable
leadership skills which can be used in their work or in
their personal lives. If you are interested in learning
more about Lions Clubs in western Tennessee, please
contact PDG
William J. Boughton..
(If you know which club serves your local area,
you may call or e-mail that Lions Club directly. )
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These links will take you to other
sites. Use your back button to return here.
Links to District 12-L Clubs
Lion Net, The World
-- Click here to go to the main Lion Net page and find
information about Lions Clubs around the world.
Lion
Net, The United States -- Click here to go to the
USA Lion Net page and find information about Lions Clubs
in the USA.
Lions Clubs
International--Our International Headquarters Web
Page.
Lions Clubs
International Foundation-- The grant making arm of
Lions Clubs International
Other sight-related
organizations supported by 12-L.
Click on the links below to find out how to make a
contribution.
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