Lions Clubs International facts for kids
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| Formation | June 7, 1917 |
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| Founder | Melvin Jones |
| Type | Service club |
| Headquarters | Oak Brook, Illinois, U.S. |
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Membership
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1,389,075 |
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President
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Fabrício Oliveira |
Lions Clubs International is a big group that helps people all over the world. It's like a team of volunteers! Their main office is in Oak Brook, Illinois, in the U.S.
As of 2020, Lions Clubs had over 46,000 local clubs. More than 1.4 million members, including young people in Leo clubs, were part of this group. They are active in over 200 countries and areas around the globe.
Contents
What are Lions Clubs?
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Lions Clubs International started in 1917 in Chicago, Illinois. A business leader named Melvin Jones had an idea. He thought business people should do more than just focus on their work. They should also help make their communities and the world better places.
His group, the Business Circle of Chicago, agreed. They met with other similar groups in the U.S. On June 7, 1917, they had a big meeting in Chicago. Later that year, they officially formed the "International Association of Lions Clubs." They decided their main goal was "unselfish service to others."
The Lions motto is "We Serve." This means they are always ready to help. The letters in LIONS also stand for Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nations' Safety.
How Lions Clubs Help People
Lions Clubs do many different projects to help people. They focus on several important areas.
Helping with Sight and Hearing
One of the most famous things Lions Clubs do is help people with their sight. This started in 1925 when Helen Keller, who was blind and deaf, spoke to the Lions. She asked them to be "Knights of the Blind." Since then, Lions have worked hard to prevent blindness and help those who can't see well.
They have programs like SightFirst. This program helps people get eye surgeries and training for eye doctors. They also work to stop diseases that cause blindness, like trachoma. Lions also help with hearing problems. They do hearing tests and support research for ear and hearing issues.
Community Projects
Lions Clubs also help their local communities in many ways.
- They donate to places that care for people who are very sick.
- They run programs like "Message in a Bottle." This helps people with important medical information in case of an emergency.
- They raise money for big problems around the world. For example, they helped after the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and the 2013 Typhoon Haiyan.
Supporting Research
Lions Clubs also support important medical research. In Australia, they helped start the Lions Ear and Hearing Institute. They also helped create the Lions Eye Institute. The Lions Medical Research Foundation has funded many studies. For example, they helped fund early work on a vaccine for a virus that can cause cancer.
Working with the United Nations
Lions Clubs International has worked with the United Nations for a long time. They were even invited to help write the United Nations Charter in 1945. This shows how important their work is on a global scale.
Lions Clubs International Foundation
The Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) helps Lions Clubs do even bigger projects. When a local club has a great idea but not enough money, the Foundation can give them grants. This allows Lions to make a bigger difference in their communities and worldwide.
The Foundation supports major programs like:
- SightFirst: Helping people see better, especially children.
- Disability Programs: Supporting people with disabilities, including those with hearing loss.
- Youth Programs: Helping young people through groups like LEO Clubs and Lions Quest.
Joining a Lions Club
Becoming a member of a Lions Club is usually by invitation. You need an active member to sponsor you. The club's leaders then decide if you can join. Lions Clubs look for people who are good citizens in their community. Being a member means you need to give some of your time and sometimes money to help with projects.
In 1987, the rules changed so women could join Lions Clubs. Before that, only men could be members. Now, many clubs have both men and women.
Some famous people have been Lions Club members. These include former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, a member of the British Royal Family. Sir Edmund Hillary, who was one of the first people to climb Mount Everest, was also a member.
Lions Clubs Around the World
The first Lions Club outside the U.S. started in Windsor, Canada, in 1920. Since then, Lions Clubs have grown a lot! They are now in over 200 countries and have more than 1.4 million members. This shows how many people want to help others through Lions Clubs.
Lions Conventions
Every year, Lions members from all over the world gather for a big convention. They meet other Lions, choose new leaders for the coming year, and take part in many fun activities. They can share ideas about their projects and trade souvenirs. The first convention was held in 1917 in Dallas, Texas. These conventions are a great way for Lions to connect and plan how to serve the world even better.
Images for kids
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Lions Clubs International logo
See also
In Spanish: Club de Leones para niños
