| Lions are members
of community service clubs, dedicated to the idea that the men and women
who live in a community are in the best position to know who needs help
and why. More than 44,000 strong, these local clubs are part of the world's
largest such organization, with 1.4 million members serving in more than
180 countries and areas. The association is both non-political and non-sectarian.
Founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1917 by insurance agent Melvin Jones and others, Lions Clubs International
has ever since offered business and professional people a way of sharing
their success by helping those less fortunate than themselves. The association
became international when a club was formed in Canada in 1920. A highlight
of its early history was a speech at the 1925 convention, when the legendary
Helen Keller challenged the 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. |
