The Broad Scope Of Service

Lions love service. Different types of service dates back to the very first Lions meeting. Lions Club International chartered in June 1919. Business leaders then had a broad scope of serving others in the community. That broad scope continues to this day.

It’s true that Helen Keller challenged Lions to be her “Knights for the blind in a crusade against darkness” in 1925. That’s why the public associates Lions with helping the visually impaired. That challenge did not forsake the good works in other areas.

Officially Lions have five international service projects. They are diabetes, the environment, hunger and pediatric cancer and vision. Wait, there is still more.

Lions also support youth. Each year Lions have arts competition for elementary students. One is the Peace Poster contest for 11-12-year old children. They have an essay contest for the same age group. The only requirement to enter an essay is because the child is blind. Youth bands compete at the Lions International Convention. There is even a junior membership program. Yes, it’s called a Leo Club.

What happens is your membership prospect has a special interest in one of those areas but your club has no service recent history? You need a truthful answer.

A new Lion with new service ideas effectively rejuvenates a club. This new Lion probably knows many other individuals with a similar passion. Serving others is the reason Lions exist.

Some Lions do not know the size of our footprint. A club may not comprehend the scope of our work. Here are some specific examples of serving non-vision needs. These examples come from the northern half of Mississippi.

Lions promote diabetes awareness. Lions help the hearing impaired. Lions sponsor annual high school leadership conferences. One conference is for boys. Another is for girls. Both provide children with positive role models. Both discuss peer pressure and substance issues.

One lucky child in north Mississippi receives $100 for winning the peace poster contest. Nearly 1000 high school musicians audition for about 150 slots in our All-State Band. Dozens of blind or deaf children attend our Sea and Sun summer camp on the Biloxi Bay.

Lions served hunger needs. We respond after disaster hits a community. Each project need volunteers. Where there is a need, there is a Lion.

Serving takes money. Every time a Lion donates to their international or state foundation, they are serving. There are many ways to serve.


We Serve because Kindness Matters 

Lion Andy Kalinowski (Andy K) 
District Governor
662.549.3421 

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