Lions have been serving their communities and meeting the needs of others around the world for over 100 years, and since 1920, the Lions of Ohio have been doing their part. In 2020, Ohio Lions celebrated their 100th anniversary. Some important dates for Ohio and Lions Clubs International are:
1917: The Beginning
In response to social problems created by World War I and rapid industrialization, a Chicago businessman named Melvin Jones invites business clubs from around the USA to a meeting where the Association of Lions Clubs is formed.
1920: Ohio Joins
The "Ohio District" is formed when the first club in Ohio was chartered in Cleveland and 12 more clubs around the state soon followed.
1920: Lions Go International
Just three years after founding, the association becomes international when the Border Cities Lions Club in Windsor, Canada is established. At the time, Lions were active in 23 U.S. states with a total of 6,400 members.
1925: Lions become "Knights of the Blind"
Helen Keller addresses Lions at the International Convention in Cedar Point, Ohio, USA. She famously challenges Lions to become "Knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness." This begins a century-long mission – impacting hundreds of millions of lives through vision related work.
1945: Uniting Nations
Lions and other representatives for 46 nations meet to help establish the NGO section of the United Nations (UN), underscoring Lions International's commitment to a "certain and lasting peace for the world." Today, Lions continue to work with the UN at the annual Lions Day and the United Nations.
1957: Leos Are Introduced
The Leo program is developed to provide the youth of the world with an opportunity for development through volunteering. Today, there are more than 200,000 Leos worldwide.
1968: Establishing Our Foundation
Lions Clubs International Foundation is created, with the mission "to support the efforts of Lions clubs and partners in serving communities locally and globally, giving hope and impacting lives through humanitarian service projects and grants." Today, our foundation has awarded more than $1 billion in grants.
1973: Celebrating 1 million members
Lions reach a historic milestone by welcoming our millionth member, Barney Gill from Virginia, USA. Today, we have more than 1.4 million members worldwide.
1985: Disaster relief support expands
LCIF awards its first Major Catastrophe Grant of $50,000 for earthquake relief in Mexico. Today, we continue to step up in times of crisis by offering grants to support our disaster relief efforts.
1990: Launching SightFirst
Lions launch a campaign to help restore sight and prevent blindness on a global scale. More than 488 million people have been impacted over the last 30+ years.
2017: Lions turn 100
The 100th year of serving local communities and the world is celebrated at the Lions Clubs International Centennial Convention in Chicago, Illinois, USA -- the same city where the association began.
2022: Campaign 100 goal exceeded
LCIF exceeds its goal for Campaign 100: LCIF Empowering Service. A total of $325 million was raised during the campaign, which is the organization's most ambitious fundraising initiative to date.
2023: Partnering for Kindness
LCIF and Lions Quest become a founding member of The Choose Kindness Project, a coalition of the leading nonprofit organizations in the United States championing bullying prevention, intentional inclusion and youth mental wellness.
- excerpt from LCI - Our History page
Related Items:
- Our Slogan & Motto
- Ohio Lions History 101 (detailed timeline of Ohio Lions MD13 by PDG Bill Keller)
- Ohio Lions District Maps, 1920-Present Day
- LCI Mission and History
