About Us

What are Lions?

Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with over 1.35 million members in more than 46,000 clubs in about 206 countries. Lions are groups of service-minded men and women who are interested in improving their communities. To become a Lion is to become an active volunteer, a member of a respected international organization, a leader in your community, and a friend to people in need. Please take the opportunity to learn more about what we do.

There are many reasons to become a member. As a Lion you will:
 » Help your community and gain valuable skills.
 » Make an impact on people's lives - locally and internationally.
 » Learn to be a leader - and lead a respected organization.
 » Network with business people in your community and around the world.
 » Energize your life and have fun.

The motto all Lions live by: "We Serve." We will do whatever is necessary to help our local communities.

Who are the Gardner Lions?

The Gardner Lions Club Was founded on August 25, 1949. Since then, we have grown to one of the largest Lions Clubs in the area with over 70 members. We focus our efforts to serve the Gardner community. Our goal: make Gardner a better place in which to live. We also support projects within our district and state both financially and with manpower when needed.

By working on our projects, we bring out the best in our members. Our list of local community activities, projects, and events are numerous. Please look at our projects page and see for yourself what the Gardner Lions strive to work on every year. If you have questions about them, feel free to ask a Lion, we're more than happy to share. Don't know one of us? Pick an e-mail address on our contact information page and we'll be happy to share.

We like to enjoy our camaraderie at our bi-monthly dinner meetings, when we discuss our ongoing projects and other relevant business. Meetings often consist of enjoying interesting and informative guest speakers.

The greatest satisfaction in being a Lion is knowing that we have supported and helped others in need.

The History

1917: The Beginning

Melvin Jones, a Chicago business leader, told members of his local business club they should reach beyond business issues and address the betterment of their communities and the world. Jones' group, the Business Circle of Chicago, agreed.

After contacting similar groups around the United States, an organizational meeting was held on June 7, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The new group took the name of one of the invited groups, the "Association of Lions Clubs," and a national convention was held in Dallas, Texas, USA in October of that year. A constitution, by-laws, objects and a code of ethics were approved.

Within three years, Lions became an international organization. Since then, we've earned high marks for both integrity and transparency. We're a well-run organization with a steady vision, a clear mission, and a long - and proud - history.

1920: Going International
Just three years after our founding, Lions became international when we established the first club in Canada. Mexico followed in 1927. In the 1950s and 1960s international growth accelerated, with new clubs in Europe, Asia and Africa.

1925: Eradicating Blindness
Helen Keller addressed the Lions Clubs International Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, USA, and challenged Lions to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness." Since then, we have worked tirelessly to aid the blind and visually impaired.

1945: Uniting Nations
The ideal of an international organization is exemplified by our enduring relationship with the United Nations. We were one of the first nongovernmental organizations invited to assist in the drafting of the United Nations Charter and have supported the work of the UN ever since.

1949: Lionism Reaches Gardner
On August 25, 1949 the Gardner Lions Club is Founded.

1957: Organizing Youth Programs
In the late 1950s, we created the Leo Program to provide the youth of the world with an opportunity for personal development through volunteering. There are approximately 144,000 Leos and 5,700 Leo clubs in more than 140 countries worldwide.

1968: Establishing Our Foundation
Lions Clubs International Foundation assists Lions with global and large-scale local humanitarian projects. Through our Foundation, Lions meet the needs of their local and global communities.

1990: Launching SightFirst
Through SightFirst, Lions are restoring sight and preventing blindness on a global scale. Launched in 1990, Lions have raised more than $346 million for this initiative. SightFirst targets the major causes of blindness: cataract, trachoma, river blindness, childhood blindness, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma.

Today: Extending Our Reach
Lions Clubs International extends our mission of service every day - in local communities, in all corners of the globe. The needs are great and our services broad, including sight, health, youth, elderly, the environment and disaster relief. Our international network has grown to include more than 206 countries and geographic areas.


Vision Statement
To be the global leader in community and humanitarian service.


Mission Statement
To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.


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