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.
Lions International is one of the world's largest
such organisations, 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, USA 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.