Service is the foundation of Lions. It’s who we are and what we do. Our roots run deep — stretching far and wide to build lasting connections and strengthen our world. Every time we serve, our roots grow stronger and deeper.

Where roots run deep

The 200-foot stone wall that borders International President Mark Lyon’s home in Brookfield, Connecticut is more than just a wall. Like so many things in the life of Mark Lyon, it’s a story.

Every stone was gathered from the surrounding woods and fields by Lyon, his family and friends. Each stone was placed by hand, like pieces of a puzzle, steadily building the wall over many months. “Brick by brick. That’s how we build something to last,” he says with a smile.

It stands as a quiet testament to patience, persistence and care. It’s a reminder that lasting impact is built one thoughtful action at a time, through the efforts of many. It reflects not only a long architectural tradition in Connecticut, but Lyon’s love and respect for tradition. Roots matter.

Lyon is a husband, father, musician, corporate executive, leader and longtime Lion — and in many ways, just a regular guy. “You’ll find me in the kitchen, around the firepit or at a Lions meeting — I just like being with people,” he says. “I’m a jeans and t-shirt kind of guy. What you see is what you get.”

His heart is in Brookfield, where the story of his life unfolded. After several moves, Mark’s father, a pastor, settled the family in Brookfield to take on the challenge of revitalizing a local church.

The move brought Mark to Brookfield, but Brookfield kept him there. Its small-town feel and natural beauty provided the perfect place to establish his roots, and its sense of community and the community’s willingness to help each other out resonated with him. “Community and service were part of the air I breathed,” Lyon says.

Eventually, he started a family of his own, and his roots in Brookfield got deeper. He married Lyn, a good friend he’d known most of his life, and they have become each other’s strongest supporters. Later, when he and Lyn adopted three daughters from China, they decided to start a community of their own — a support group for adoptive families so his children could connect with other children from similar cultural backgrounds.

“Our roots are here in Brookfield, but our hearts are global,” he says.

Even with such strong roots in family and community, Lyon’s life was still branching out.

Rooted in service, driven by purpose

Tested on Wall Street and refined in corporate law, Lyon’s early career instilled a lasting devotion to accountability and excellence. One of his favorite bosses, Lou, taught Lyon something he still lives by: “Never hand in a piece of work that your boss wouldn’t be happy to sign as their own.”

Lyon also got involved in local politics so he could make an even bigger impact. He’d found success in his professional and personal life, but it took a golf outing in 1996 with a former classmate to realize there was something missing.

His golf partner was the newly elected president of the Brookfield Lions Club, and their conversation sparked Lyon’s interest in the organization. He showed up at a club meeting and realized that he recognized almost everyone in the room from his years in local politics.

“Except nobody was talking politics,” he recalls. “They were all just Lions discussing what the club was doing. I started listening and I said to myself, ‘This is where I’m supposed to be.’ So I joined immediately.” It’s a story Mark likes to tell, and it’s a moment that marked the beginning of three decades of service.

For Lyon, service is the cornerstone of our global organization, no matter the size of the project. “Whether in Nebraska collecting canned goods or in India building hospitals, each is just as important,” he says. “There’s no project that’s too big or too small.”

Mark Lyon is now our international president, but he’s still connected to home. He still reveres tradition. He’s still grounded in faith and optimism. And he still loves a great story because it can do more than teach us — it can inspire us.

That’s why he loves Connecticut’s Charter Oak. The Charter Oak became a symbol of freedom in 1687 when colonists hid Connecticut’s Royal Charter inside the great tree to protect their right to self-govern. The tree fell in 1856, but it endures as a lasting symbol of resilience and perseverance.

“The Charter Oak reminds us that our roots matter, but so does how we grow,” Lyon says. He believes this symbol speaks to who we are and why we are a symbol to the world.

As Lions, our roots run deep. We offer so much to the world we serve, and we are also deeply connected to the world we share. Lyon believes we can make the world a better place when we remain rooted in service.

Rooted in service

Picture a mighty oak — a symbol of strength and endurance. It stands as a powerful emblem, enduring, unshakable and inspiring generations to come. Lions are like that tree, rooted in purpose and service. Our strength comes not from standing tall alone, but from the shelter, nourishment and life we provide to the world around us.

For more than 100 years, our clubs have supported, strengthened and served the communities and places we call home. We have offered help in times of hardship, hope in moments of despair and compassion when it’s needed most. Service is the soil in which our organization grows — the lives we touch, the communities we change, the impact we make.

Just as the Charter Oak became a symbol of what people can achieve when they stand together, Lions embody that same truth today. Every meal served, every hospital built, every child supported is a reminder that our roots run deep, that our service is rooted in strength — and built to last.

Growing together in service

Each moment of service strengthens the foundation of our clubs and communities. Here’s how we can grow and thrive together.

Get back to our roots.

Our commitment to service makes us who we are. When we focus on acts of service, both big and small, we strengthen our communities, our clubs and the bonds we share. Embrace the joy of service and the purpose it brings.

Plant the seed.

Every Lion holds the power to grow their club. With each new member, our service, our impact and our potential grow, allowing us to do more and be more for our communities. Invite a new member and plant the seed for growth.

Let our leadership shine.

We change lives through our service, but we are also advocates for the people and causes we serve. We can expand our reach by connecting with key community stakeholders and partners who share our passion. Let’s start big conversations, and even greater change.

Lean on your global foundation.

Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) offers more than funding — it’s a lifeline of compassion and hope. The transformative work that Lions and LCIF bring to life is made possible by you. So support LCIF and let LCIF support you.

Cultivating success

When we unite to serve our communities and our world, we can achieve so much together. Here are some keys to our success.

Be the ripple.

Clubs have the potential to create change that is felt throughout the community. It all starts with that moment of purpose, that act of kindness. It starts with you. Be the ripple that travels far and wide, touching lives along the way.

Build it to last.

Great clubs and supportive communities don’t just happen —they are built by people who put their hearts and souls into them. So invest in building your club and community to ensure they are places where everyone can thrive.

Stay connected.

For Lions, connection is about people — the people who serve, and the people we serve. Embrace the personal connections we make through the Lion experience to create a culture of gratitude, positivity and fun.

Branch out.

We get better and our future gets brighter when we engage the next generation in our mission of service. Young people are ready to serve and lead, so give them a chance to do it as Lions and Leos.