by Reannon Muth October 1, 2018Invested.For many Lions, the yellow vest has come to represent more than a colorful piece of attire. The Lions I interviewed spoke of the vest serving as both an international identifier and a beacon for community service. When asked, “What does the vest mean to you?” one of the most common responses given was simply: […] Continue Reading
by Erin Kasdin November 22, 2018The Psychology of HelpingWhen a photo appeared in September 2015 of a three-year old Syrian boy who drowned while trying to reach Europe with his family, the world seemed to momentarily open its eyes to a refugee crisis that had been quietly building for years. The boy’s name was Alan Kurdi, and in the wake of his death […] Continue Reading
by Emma Harper February 1, 2019Better Service, By DesignCREATING A MORE BEAUTIFUL WORLD THROUGH SERVICE There might never be a better reason to pack your bags this summer. The 102nd annual Lions Clubs International Convention will be held in Milan, Italy—located in the heart of Europe where everything, it seems, is within arm’s reach. July 5-9, 2019, Lions will be converging on the […] Continue Reading
February 1, 2019Celebrate the Art of Service in MilanHello, Lions! When I think of Italy I think of great food, beautiful landscapes, and a rich diversity of friendly people. This year, Italian Lions—more than 1,300 clubs and 40,000 members strong—are opening their doors to the global Lion community in July, and I hope you will consider joining me there. Milan, in particular, has […] Continue Reading
February 1, 2019Getting Personal for a Good CauseThe members of the Lions Club of Dar es Salaam Tanzanites have decided it’s time to come out with their story. In the small Tanzanian city, where everyone knows everyone, there is still a social stigma about health conditions like diabetes. But the Dar es Salaam Lions know that being aware of the early signs […] Continue Reading
by Joan Cary February 1, 2019Beyond the CaneAccessible computers open up a whole new world for the blind Barry Carver will be the first to say he was just wasting time. He spent his days listening to audio books, had nowhere to go, and no hope for his future. But then the box from Computers for the Blind (CFTB) was delivered to […] Continue Reading
by Jay Copp February 1, 2019‘Dogumentary’ Showcases Puppy RaisersThe King City Lions Club in Oregon welcomed a celebrity to one of their meetings: Potomac, a guide dog in training. Filmmakers were documenting his progress and the training of four other Labradors from Guide Dogs for the Blind, based in San Rafael, California. Potomac, lively and friendly, charmed the Lions, and the club declared […] Continue Reading
by Cassandra Rotolo February 1, 2019Diabetes: Lions Take on a Global Epidemic Diabetes: Lions Take on a Global Epidemic It’s an easy, 12-minute drive from Len Dompke’s suburban Chicago home to the local hospital. Yet, the first time Dompke made the drive, it was one of the hardest of his life. Making this drive meant recognizing and changing some unhealthy habits, which was not going to […] Continue Reading
February 1, 2019Tribal ShawlTopeka Sunflower Lion Daniel Martinez presents International President Yngvadottir with a Native American shawl featuring his tribal seal at the USA/Canada Forum in Ohio. Martinez belongs to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and lives on the Potawatomi reservation near Topeka, Kansas. It is a high honor for a woman to receive a shawl from their […] Continue Reading
February 1, 2019Children Express Love, Peace, and Harmony through ArtEvery year the love for the Menlo Park Lions’ Valentine’s Day activity grows. This year, for the fifth February in a row, the Lions in New Jersey are hosting their Love, Peace and Harmony art contest, giving young artists the chance to show their skills and express their support for love and peace. More than […] Continue Reading
March 1, 2019We Speak for the TreesWith more than 1.4 million members, Lions have a powerful voice. And around the world, Lions are using that voice to raise awareness about climate change and mobilize. In 2011, then International President Wing-Kun Tam challenged Lions to plant 1 million trees. They responded by planting 15 million in every inhabited continent and have continued […] Continue Reading
March 1, 2019Planting Trees, Planting HopeHello, Lions! When I was a child I planted trees with my family at our summer cottage, and later my children did the same. My son wasn’t always happy about it, being out there, digging holes. He saw a whole lot of small trees that didn’t mean much to him. But now he’s all grown […] Continue Reading
March 1, 2019Among the GiantsTaller than Cinderella’s castle, wider than a city street, the Sequoias of California are among the largest trees in the world and more than 3,000 years old. Every year about 200,000 people stroll in their shadows at the Calaveras Big Trees State Park in California, and roughly 8,000 children visit with school groups to learn […] Continue Reading
by Erin McIntyre March 1, 2019A Quiet VoiceIn a poster he created for a literacy class assignment, Mark Barniville shared all about himself, just like the teacher wanted. It was one of those get-to-know-you types of activities for the beginning of the year. He drew a bike, because he liked riding bikes. He advertised his love for steak and pizza, and wrote […] Continue Reading
March 1, 2019International Women’s DayHow Lions Celebrate As part of the call to promote gender parity and increase the number of women in leadership positions, Lions Clubs International launched the New Voices Initiative, which is celebrating the contributions of outstanding women in its ranks. On March 8, 2019, Lions will be joining the global conversation about gender parity on […] Continue Reading
by Jamie Konigsfeld March 1, 2019Lions Celebrate 20 Years of SightFirst in MadagascarCataracts are the number one cause of blindness. Moved to change the reality for those affected, more than 20 years ago, Lions in Madagascar started a SightFirst project to address the issue. Since then, the Lions have gone on to do so much more. “When we see the smiles of the people we help, it […] Continue Reading
March 1, 2019Free FruitThe Ngongotaha Lions Club in New Zealand has given a barren roadside a whole new purpose. In 2016 the club donated more than 400 fruit and native trees to the Rotorua Ngongotaha Rail Park. Lion Ross Thompson, organizer of the event, said funding from the city council enabled them to add fruit trees to the […] Continue Reading
March 1, 2019Showing up Big for RhinosThe Mafikeng Lions care about rhinos. And they want the world to care, too. While they celebrate World Rhino Day every year, this year they tried something special. They partnered with the International School of South Africa and recruited 780 staff, students, and Lions and Leos of the Mafikeng club to come together on the […] Continue Reading
March 1, 2019Hides Make Happy CampersWhen deer hunting season begins each fall the Wisconsin Lions send out their message: We want your hide. The sale of deer hides is helping Lions send kids to summer camp. Through the bulk sale of hides donated by Wisconsin archery and gun sportsmen, Lions have raised more than US$1 million to support the 440-acre […] Continue Reading
March 1, 2019Bryan Adams Thanks LionsMusician Bryan Adams publicly thanked the Lions club in Ottawa, Canada, for bringing his family Christmas dinner when he was a child in the ‘70s. His name is added to the list of celebrities— including Stevie Wonder—impacted as children by the many kindnesses of Lions. Continue Reading
March 1, 2019Following the MelodyLions Clubs International rocked during the 2019 Rose Parade in Pasadena, California. International President Yngvadottir and her husband were joined on the float by the husband and daughters of late International Director Karla Harris, who was featured in the video that inspired this year’s float theme, “Rockin’ The Vest”. In commemoration of the 100th anniversary […] Continue Reading
April 1, 2019In the Wake of Flash Flood, New Club is BornBattered by heavy rainfall, residents of the small town of Nawapur, in the Nandurbar District of Maharashtra, woke up to flash floods on August 16, 2018. The Rangavalli river overflowed and the local dam was breached, flooding 10 villages in the district. About 14 lives were lost and 462 homes damaged. Many had to flee […] Continue Reading
April 1, 2019100th Birthday Party Turns into WeddingLions Judy Goldman (New York Ann Sullivan-White Plains Lions Club, in Eastchester, New York) and Mannie Corman (Brooklyn Bridge Lions Club in Brooklyn, New York) surprised more than 160 members of their friends and family on Labor Day, 2018, when they turned a centennial birthday celebration into a wedding ceremony. The two, who have a […] Continue Reading
May 1, 2019Women Lions Walk the WalkWomen Lions Walk the Walk The New Voices Initiative celebrates the extraordinary achievements of and contributions by women in Lions Clubs International. The following four women have been chosen by IP Yngvadottir for their significant accomplishments in the areas of service, growth, leadership, and marketing. As you celebrate these four women, consider the important role […] Continue Reading
by Gudrun Yngvadottir May 1, 2019Together, We Lead the WayHello, Lions! In the months leading up to my term as International President, I was often asked how I would do things differently as the first woman president of our organization. The question bothered me because I didn’t want to lead as a woman; I wanted to lead. Period. In Iceland women have been leading […] Continue Reading
May 1, 2019All Aboard the LøvebussenAbout 30 years ago, Lions Club Sørfold in northern Norway built a “play-bus” for the local kindergarten. As the weather in the region can be harsh, the bus began to look worn. The Sorfold Lions decided it was time to build a new bus for the children. Ten members of the 19-member club spent more […] Continue Reading
by Joan Cary May 1, 2019Women Are Changing LionsA growing number of women are taking the lead and Lions’ service has never been stronger In 1987, Lions Clubs International voted to allow women to join the Lions family. And join they did. Today, women are the fastest growing segment of Lions, with more than 425,000 women serving around the world. In Latin America, […] Continue Reading
by Erin Kasdin May 1, 2019The InvisiblesA cast of characters deep in Florida’s interior help the unseen to see. “ I struggle with what God wants me to do. Feed the hungry? Clothe the naked? Visit the imprisoned? Is that everybody or only U.S. citizens? ” – Lion Margarita Romo, Dade City Hispanic American Club. Past District Governor Shirley LePage zips […] Continue Reading
by Jay Copp May 1, 2019A Leo Saved My LifeNeither one of them was supposed to be there that night. Bowling with friends, Garrett Towe, 17, was standing in his lane when he noticed a loud commotion two lanes over. A middle-aged man had collapsed. His body was shaking, and he threw up. “Does anybody know CPR?” someone shouted. The irony of it all […] Continue Reading
by Cassandra Rotolo May 1, 2019LCIF Eases a Heavy Burden in TanzaniaImagine trekking across the savannah with your child in the blistering sun to collect water for drinking, cooking, bathing, and farming. For you, the three-mile journey is grueling, but standard practice. For your 5-year-old daughter, it’s an exhausting trip that brings sweat to her tiny forehead and introduces the challenges of living in a water-stressed […] Continue Reading
May 1, 2019Bookstall Makes BankFor the 17th year, the St. Wendel Lions Club set up shop at the St. Wendel Easter market. Similar to previous years, they had approximately 7,000 books to sell. These ranged from nonfiction, to cookbooks, to literature for children, to travel books, and included specialist publications on themes like medicine, esoterism, philosophy, and global and […] Continue Reading
May 1, 2019LION Day Helps Beet DiabetesIn Dover, New York, the elementary school children have taste-tested everything from healthy mangoes to golden beets during their lunch time. At home their parents are being educated about combatting diabetes. It all started when The Town of Dover Lions Katie Pallmer-House and Patti Zangle were inspired by the Lion mantra “Think Global, Act Local” […] Continue Reading
May 1, 2019Paying Off Lunch Debt Pays Off Big for KidsFor some students their school lunch is the only meal they will get all day. In Minnesota’s Minnetonka School District the Excelsior Lions are looking out for those children, seeing to it that everyone gets the food they need, and no child has to feel singled out for being different. The Lions donated money to […] Continue Reading
May 1, 2019Helen Keller is back in the Texas school curriculumPast International President Jimmy Ross (2006-2007) and dozens of Lions in Texas put pen to paper protesting a proposed change to the Texas school curriculum that would eliminate Helen Keller from lesson plans. The preliminary decision by the Texas State Board of Education in September caused a stir among the public, and Lions spoke up […] Continue Reading
May 1, 2019Trailblazer Gives Big Gift to PosterityLion Ruth Molenaar, vice district governor 16-N, recently received the Cultural Preservation Award from the Newark Public Library for her donation of archival material, articles, and photos from La Tribuna, the largest and oldest Spanish language newspaper published in New Jersey. La Tribuna was founded in 1962 in Newark, N.J. by Carlos Bidot, a Cuban […] Continue Reading
by Joan Cary June 1, 2019Bigger Than MePartnerships often mean the difference between a fleeting project and a lasting legacy. Don’t Let this Die People come and go. They change their priorities or get pulled away for one reason or another. They get sick. They get old. At some point, they pass away. It is a hard truth of life. Individuals are […] Continue Reading
by Gudrun Yngvadottir June 1, 2019Partnerships Ensure Your Work ContinuesHello, Lions! When I think of the power of partnerships, I think of the task of raising a family. I remember how difficult it was at times to balance the care and nurturing of my children with the demands of school and work life. On those nights I needed to work, my husband was there […] Continue Reading
June 1, 2019Putting SIDS to SleepWhat impressed the Redwood Falls Lions Club most about Becky Bruns was her willingness to give back to the community through education on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome [SIDS] after the tragic loss of her son. What impressed Becky about Minnesota’s Redwood Lions was “their willingness to help in every way possible, without question and with […] Continue Reading
by Jay Copp June 1, 2019A High NoteSometimes Saving One Life Can Help Change Your Own His father calls him “cheeky and cheerful.” Jayden, 3, also is—in the best sense possible—a mimic of sorts. Often confined to a hospital bed while he battles cancer, he’s accustomed to being helped. But he’s learned to do unto others as has been done for him. […] Continue Reading
June 1, 2019Feeding a Lot of Hungry PeopleThe project was initiated by PID Vic Cheng Yong in partnership with the Filipino Chinese Lions Foundation and ATM Chain Foundation of China with the Quezon City Katarungan Central Lions Club and cost approximately US$76,000. It is the biggest project so far held by the Philippine Lions. The ATM Chain Foundation of China donated funds […] Continue Reading
June 1, 2019Guide Dogs Lead Marathon Runner Across Finish LineRunner Thomas Panek made history on March 17, 2019 after becoming the first blind person to run in the United Airlines New York City Half Marathon without a human guide. Panek, the president and CEO of Guiding Eyes for the Blind, ran with three Labrador retrievers that took turns in guiding him as he completed […] Continue Reading
June 1, 2019Lions Gather at United Nations to Discuss Protecting the Health of the World’s ChildrenLions and Leos from across the globe gathered at Lions Day with the United Nations in New York, New York on March 9, 2019 for discussion on the theme, “Protecting our Future: The Health of our Children.” Lions joined leaders such as Riva Greenberg of the International Diabetes Federation and Dr. N. Menabde of the […] Continue Reading
July 1, 2019Diversity Bridges All DividesCreating Harmony Through Service With International President Dr. Jung-Yul Choi We Serve all people in all places. Lions are a shining example to the world of the good that can be accomplished by uniting in harmony. We’re known for our strength and ability to help others—and this is only accomplished Through Diversity. Hard work. The […] Continue Reading
by Dr. Jung-Yul Choi July 1, 2019Let All Our Lights Brighten the DarknessGreetings Lions! It is my great pleasure to address the Lion community for the first time as your International President. As we enter a new Lion year I have high hopes for us. My focus during my presidency is on fostering diversity in service. After all, there are more than 1.4 million Lions around the […] Continue Reading
July 1, 2019Smooth Sailing ServiceEvery spring Sea Cowboys, Awkward Turtles, Energy Pirates, Slovenian Sharks, and Hungarian Sea Lions line the coast of Croatia off the Adriatic Sea. These are just some of the creative names Lions have given their boats for the annual regatta organized by the District 126 Croatia Lions to raise money for prevention and rehabilitation programs […] Continue Reading
by Erin Kasdin July 1, 2019A Duty to Give BackInternational President Dr. Jung-Yul Choi reveals a life that shaped him to serve. A man becomes a Lion When International President Dr. Jung-Yul Choi was a young businessman, he helped a milk boy who had spilled his day’s deliveries. The boy asked how he would pay Dr. Choi back. “You don’t need to pay me […] Continue Reading
by Katya Cengel July 1, 2019Finding HomeHOW A NEPALESE DIASPORA COMMUNITY IN CALIFORNIA FOUND THEIR ROOTS AGAIN IN LIONS. It was under a banyan tree that it all began. In the town where Rajen Thapa grew up in Eastern Nepal there was no football field, no tennis court, no swimming pool – just the banyan tree. In the evening, after they […] Continue Reading
by Joan Cary July 1, 2019In BloomDaffodil Day Brings Smiles with Spring For 56 years the Cecilton Lions in Maryland have marked the arrival of spring with Operation Daffodil. Their only mission: To make people smile. For the last 20 of those 56 years, Rose Miller and her husband, Cecilton Lion Jack Miller, have headed the project, monitoring the spring weather […] Continue Reading
by Joan Cary July 1, 2019Golf Ball RescuersFour years ago, Justin Hoving posed a question to his “Papa.” “What do you want to do today?” “Well, we could hunt for golf balls,” Sycamore [Illinois] Lion Joe Woodward suggested. And so 7-year-old Justin and his grandfather walked along the fence that separates the Sycamore Park District baseball diamonds from the back nine of […] Continue Reading
by Jamie Konigsfeld July 1, 2019Sight for Kids, a Powerful PartnershipSight for Kids, a Powerful Partnership Ben was 3 years old. He should have felt happy, inquisitive, and brave. Instead, he always seemed to have an angry expression on his face. He rarely smiled. In addition, he had delayed motor skills and difficulty walking; he would frequently run into things. He was frustrated and expressed […] Continue Reading