 Mission Statement |
Lions throughout the world are dedicated to helping those less fortunate in their communities and around the world. Cutting across all national, racial and cultural boundaries, activities have included:
History of Lions International |
The International Association of Lions Clubs began as the dream of Chicago businessman Melvin Jones. He believed that local business clubs should expand their horizons from purely professional concerns to the betterment of their communities and the world at large. Jones' own group, the Business Circle of Chicago, agreed. After contacting similar groups around the country, an organizational meeting was held on June 7, 1917, at the LaSalle Hotel in Chicago. The new group took the name of one of the groups invited, the "Association of Lions Clubs," and a national convention was held in Dallas in October of that year. A constitution, by-laws, objects and code of ethics were approved.
In 1920, the "Association of Lions Clubs" became "International' with the formation of the Windsor, Canada Lions Club. The countries of China, Mexico, and Cuba joined our forces by 1927, Central and South America in 1935. Lions reached Europe in 1948 as clubs were chartered in Sweden, Switzerland and France. In 1954, the first club in Japan was chartered.
Helen Keller was born physically normal in 1880 in a small town in Alabama. Helen lost her sight and hearing at the age of 19 months to an illness now believe to have been scarlet fever. Five years later, on the advice of Alexander Graham Bell, her parents applied to the Perkins Institute for the Blind in Boston for a teacher. From that school, they hired Anne Sullivan who trained Helen to communicate with the world around her. She spoke at the Lions International Convention held at Cedar Point, Ohio on June 30, 1925. Although unable to see her audience or hear their applause, she appealed to the Lions,...
Since that speech, Lions accepted her challenge and have contributed more time and energy to fight blindness than any other organization, foundation or government.
What We Do |
For more than ninety years, Lions Clubs around the world have been recognized
for their service to the visually impaired and hearing impaired. The majority
of the world's eye banks have been established by and are currently supported
by Lions Clubs, as are hundreds of clinics, hospitals and eye research
centers.
We provide eye exams and eyeglasses, hearing
exams and hearing aids, leader
dogs for the visually impaired and hearing dogs for the hearing impaired.
We sponsor a peace poster contest
in conjunction with the International Association of Lions Clubs. We
recycle
used eyeglasses and prepare them for people in third world countries,
where a pair of eyeglasses often costs more than a month's wages. Watch
for our eyeglass collection boxes throughout the area.
Through our district money-raising projects, we support such organizations as Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation, Leader Dogs for the Blind,
Lions World Services for the Blind in Little Rock, MidSouth Lions Sight and Hearing Services in Memphis, and Audio Reader.
Some of the funds we raise are distributed to clubs in the district for college scholarships for graduating high school seniors throughout our district.
The Lions and Leos of District 26-M4 really make a difference in their communities. Where there is a need, they are usually there to help!
Locating a Club |
Membership in a Lions Club is by invitation only. We are always looking for civic minded citizens who are willing to donate some time and effort toward making our communities better places in which to live. You can join us and learn more about what Lions really do to help their fellow man. Through membership, Lions not only help people in need, but they have opportunities to develop personal friendships and gain valuable leadership skills which can be used in their work or in their personal
lives. If you are interested in learning more about Lions Clubs in northwest Missouri, please contact DG Nelson Cornelius..
If you know which club serves your local area, you may call or e-mail
that Lions Club directly.
Below is a list of all Lions Clubs in the District, along with their contact information.
Region I includes Westboro, Tarkio, Maryville Host, Hopkins, Pickering,
Graham, Maryville Pride, Northwest Campus Club, Parnell, Gentry, Grant City, and King City
Contact Lion Bill Calhoon Region Chairperson.
Region II includes Mound City, Forest City, Rosendale, Savannah, Helena,
St. Joseph Host, St. Joseph Eastside, St. Joseph Southside, Cosby, and Amazonia. Contact Lion Harold Hamm, Region Chairperson.
Region III includes Easton, Rushville, Faucett, Weston, Platte City,
Parkville, Liberty, Smithville, Kearney, Excelsior Springs,Missouri City, and Claycomo. Contact PDG Harley Morelock, Region Chairperson.
Region IV includes Clarksdale, Amity, Fairport, Maysville, Pattonsburg, Cameron, Gower,
Jameson, Jamesport, Gallatin, Lake Viking, Hamilton, Braymer, and Cowgill. Contact Lion June Shipps, Region Chairperson.
Region V includes Chillicothe, Ludlow, Hale, Norborne, Carrollton, Meadville,
Brookfield, Marceline, Mendon, Brunswick, Keytesville, and Salisbury. Contact Charlie Chapman, Region Chairperson.
Region VI includes Ridgeway, Bethany, Gilman City, Trenton, Mercer, Laredo, Galt,
Unionville, Green City, and Green Castle. Contact DG Carl 'Joe' Bullock.">
Lion Links |
Lion Net is a listing of Lions Clubs around the world. If you are looking
for information about a Lions Club that is not on these pages, this is
the place to begin your search.
Lion Net, The World -- Click here
to go to the main Lion Net page and find information about Lions Clubs
around the world.
Lion Net, The United
States -- Click here to go to the USA Lion Net page and find information
about Lions Clubs in the USA. For
a map of the US with the Lion Net nodes click here.
Lions Clubs International
-- Our International
Headquarters Web Page.
Lions Clubs International Foundation --
The grant making arm of Lions Clubs International
Campaign SightFirst II -- "One child goes blind every minute"
Other sight-related organizations supported by 26-F. Click on the links below to find out more as well as how to make a contribution.
Please send us your comments and questions.