How Do Lions Serve

Serving is at the core of every Lions Club. Lions have a reputation for helping the blind and visually impaired. That reputation dates back to 1925 when Helen Keller challenged Lions to be her “Knights for the Blind in a crusade against darkness.” That challenge did not mean Lions are to ignore other local needs.

The international board of directors for Lions Club International designated a total of five projects for international service. Even those five have a few additions. Let’s discuss each.


Vision is the signature service project for Lions, as discussed above. Vision can mean doing sight screenings. It could mean paying for professional services for the under privileged. Lions love to collect glasses for recycling in the Third World.

Diabetes is a growing problem in society. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness among American adults. Control diabetes and save vision. Lions advocate for diabetic education.

Environment is a global cause. Lions replant trees. Lions do community clean up projects. Lions recycle.

Hunger is another global cause. It does not mean feeding children abroad. There are hungry people in each community. Working at local food pantry’s or soup kitchens is a popular service project for Lions. So is financially supporting those causes.

Pediatric Cancer is the final international service project. Writing a simple greeting card to encourage a child with cancer or the child’s parents might seem insignificant. To that child or the parent, it might be a game-changer. Volunteering at a local pediatric cancer treatment facility is also an ideal way to serve.

Youth is officially not an international service project of Lions. Yet there is an international youth program for pre-teens. It’s called the Peace Poster contest. Each year Lions support competition from youth that challenges their artistic ability. It’s to draw a specific size poster depicting the peace theme. The winners of the international competition receive a complimentary trip for two (child and a parent) to the United Nations in New York. There are prizes awarded for preliminary competition.

Disaster Relief is another area of Lions involvement not falling into an international service project. Those affected by tornados, hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires, volcanic eruptions or other natural disasters can receive assistance. Lions are constantly monitoring those disasters that affect entire communities.

Humanitarian is a very open-ended category that allows Lions to see a need and provide assistance. In all cases, Lions have the ability and financial resources to meet unmet community needs for large projects.

Lions have nearly unlimited resources to help individuals and communities grow. That’s why we are Lions. The best way to expand our work is to expand our membership.


We Serve because Kindness Matters 

Lion Andy Kalinowski (Andy K) 
District Governor
662.549.3421 

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