About Lions...
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' group, the Business Circle of Chicago, agreed. After contacting similar
groups around the United States, an organizational meeting was held on June 7,
1917 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The new group took the name of one of the
invited groups, the "Association of Lions Clubs," and a national convention was
held in Dallas, Texas, USA in October of that year. A constitution, by-laws,
objects and code of ethics were approved.
Among the objects adopted in those early years was one that read, "No club shall
hold out the financial betterment of its members as its object." This call for
unselfish service to others remains one of the association's main tenets.
Just three years after its formation, the association became international when
the first club in Canada was established in 1920. Major international expansion
continued as clubs were established, particularly throughout Europe, Asia and
Africa during the 1950s and '60s.
In 1925, Helen Keller addressed the Lions international convention in Cedar
Point, Ohio, USA. She challenged Lions to become "knights of the blind in the
crusade against darkness." From this time, Lions clubs have been actively
involved in service to the blind and visually impaired.
Broadening its international role, Lions Clubs International helped the United
Nations form the Non-Governmental Organizations sections in 1945 and continues
to hold consultative status with the U.N.
In 1990, Lions launched its most aggressive sight preservation effort,
SightFirst. The US$ 143.5 million program strives to rid the world of preventable
and reversible blindness by supporting desperately needed health care services.
In addition to sight programs, Lions Clubs International is committed to
providing services for youth. Lions clubs also work to improve the environment,
build homes for the disabled, support diabetes education, conduct hearing
programs and, through their foundation, provide disaster relief around the
world.
Lions Clubs International has grown to include nearly 1.35 million men and women
in approximately 45,000 clubs located in 197 countries and geographic areas.
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Closer to Home...
On July 12, 1923, Melvin Jones, the founder of Lions International, stepped
off the Northwestern Train in the Glen Ellyn to organize the Glen Ellyn Lions -
making the Glen Ellyn Lions Club the oldest service organization in DuPage
County.
The names of the charter members were a roll call of the names you see
engraved on local buildings: McChesney, Buckholtz, Biester, to name a few.
The Wheaton Lions organized in September and Lombard in October of the same
year - but Glen Ellyn was the first! It took Rotary 30 more years to come
to town, and 40 more years for Kiwanis.
When Stacy's Tavern was just a private home, and the Hesterman collection of
old photos were being taken with a Brownie camera, the Lions were here working
for those needing special help. We are here now and continue to provide
services to those in need.
Nearly eighty-six years of dedication to the commitment of Lions
everywhere... WE SERVE.
Meet the 2006-2007 Glen Ellyn Lions Club Officers and
Directors
Find out more...
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