Winter 2025Past Issues Embracing the Lion ExperienceDear Lion, The work we do as Lions has a profound impact on countless communities and lives — including my own. Becoming a Lion 40 years ago filled a gap in my life I didn’t even know existed. While I had been blessed with a beautiful family and a successful business career, it wasn’t until I joined Lions that I discovered the incredible rewards of being part of a group dedicated to serving others. The…more...Celebrating the influential life of Jimmy CarterDuring my time as Lions Clubs International president, I had the distinct honor of working closely with former President Jimmy Carter. A Lion for over 60 years, he was an incredible servant leader whose dedication to helping others never ceased. Carter served as the 39th president of the United States with the same unwavering humbleness and compassion he had as district governor for 18 C District in Georgia. In 1998, Carter and I visited Mali…more...Embracing NeurodiversityOne of the most appealing aspects of Lions International is the wide variety of clubs that service-minded individuals can join. With 1.4 million Lions in more than 200 countries and geographic areas around the world, it’s no wonder that no two volunteers are the same. Each Lion enriches their club with different talents, expertise, connections and a fresh perspective that helps the group serve more people in need. In Canada, the Montreal Autism Community Lions…more...Making Papa ProudFor 17-year-old Mia Narciso of Palos Park, Illinois, the Lions club was always synonymous with her grandfather, Thomas “Tom” Post. Along with family and football, giving back to others was most important for the man they called Papa. “He was the kindest person I’ve ever met,” Mia said. “It never mattered if he knew you or not. It was never a matter of reciprocation. That was just who he was at his core.” A Guiding…more...Serving Against All OddsFounded in 1997 as Lions Club Donetsk Universal, Lions Club Svyatogorsk is the oldest Lions club in Ukraine. Despite facing tremendous odds in a country enduring more than a decade of conflict, the club members are holding on tightly to their resolve to help those in need — and each other. It’s an enduring testament to the spirit of Lions. Lion Elena Gryadusha, who started the club, first learned about Lions when her husband was…more...100 Years of Unstoppable SpiritIt was June 30, 1925, when 45-year-old Helen Keller took the stage at the ninth annual Lions International Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio. Her historic address was a rally cry that not only guided the course of Lions’ service over the past century — it established boldness as an enduring trait. Keller was a maverick in her own right. At just 18 months old, an unknown illness rendered her deaf and blind. Such impairments were…more...Step Right Up!Who doesn’t love a carnival? It’s a place where you can bring your whole family and spend the day enjoying games, good food and special events, all while having lots of fun. And that’s exactly the experience Lions in Malaysia set out to offer in several communities — with a special Lion twist: life-enhancing service projects as the main attraction. Lions in District 308 B3 in Malaysia created an innovative and exciting way to offer…more...Expanding the SightFirst LegacyLCIF launches new Vision Grant to support Lions' service. “Ever since Helen Keller inspired Lions to champion the vision cause 100 years ago, we’ve served and advocated for the blind and visually impaired of all ages, in every corner of the world,” said Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) Chairperson Dr. Patti Hill. This historic appeal encouraged Lions to act as knights of the blind, and they have continually risen to that challenge by developing innovative…more...Lions Are Spreading Joy and Feeling It, TooMost people join a Lions club to make a difference and help their communities. But here's the thing — they end up finding so much more than they ever expected. So, what exactly makes being a Lion so special? We took a peek at our latest member satisfaction survey to uncover what our members love about being Lions. • 95% feel they are making a difference. • 92% enjoy…more...