Summer 2026Past Issues We are Rooted in Service Dear Lion, Service is the foundation of our organization and at the heart of who we are as Lions. Every day, in communities around the world, we bring kindness, compassion and support to those who need it most. Our shared commitment connects us, strengthens our clubs and reminds us why we serve. My presidential message, “Rooted in Service,” is a reminder to stay grounded in the values that have guided Lions and Leos for…more...Rooted In ServiceService 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,…more...Crossing into FriendshipLion Mike Contreras of Whidbey Island, Washington, was about to cross a busy street when he noticed an elderly man in the crosswalk struggling to maneuver his wheelchair. The Oak Harbor Lion and former police officer quickly jumped in to help. “As I pushed his wheelchair across the street, he told me he was moving and didn’t have anyone to help,” Mike said. “That moment changed everything.” Kirk Gardner, the 92-year-old U.S. Navy veteran, explained…more...Transforming Lives at Both Ends of the LeashWhen three wide-eyed puppies arrived at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) on a sunny spring day in Phoenix, 30 female inmates were eagerly waiting to meet them. “Everybody wants to get in on it,” said Lion Cris Gerard, treasurer of the Lions Project for Canine Companions (LPCC) and the driving force behind the Arizona prison program. Tommy To participate, inmates must have clean disciplinary records and complete a rigorous screening process. But for the women…more...Fastened for the FutureAt first light on Pediatorkope Island in eastern Ghana, parents walk their children to the muddy banks of the Volta River. No yellow buses wait here. Instead, small wooden boats line the shore, ready to carry students to school on the mainland. Children ages 4 to 15 pile into the narrow vessels — some with motors, others steered by hand. When families cannot afford a motorized ride or an adult to row, children must paddle…more...My Surprise InductionI share the story of my Lions induction often — partly because it’s pretty comical, but mostly because it shaped who I am today. Even though I grew up around Lions, I never realized it was an international organization. To me, it was just the club my parents and all their friends were in. I helped when I could and mostly saw it as time to hang with family. I figured once I was older…more...The Intersection of Service and Inclusion: LCIF and Special Olympics celebrate 25 years of partnership.Our most impactful partnerships are born from the inherent belief that Lions can make a difference, and that the slogan, “Where there’s a need, there’s a Lion,” can be lived out repeatedly all over the world. Lions perceive community needs from a grassroots level that they believe can be successfully addressed through ambitious vision and hands-on service. Twenty-five years ago, Lion Dr. Paul Berman saw a need and founded the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF)-Special…more...