It is with great PRIDE (pun intended) that our members serve not only our local community, but the entire World, with Lions Clubs International (LCI).

Lions Club International is the World's largest secular service organization with over 44,500 clubs, with more than 1.4 million members in 203 countries around the world.

Headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, USA, the organization strives to meet the needs of communities on a global scale.

A diverse organization, LCI currently supports eleven following languages: English, French, Cantonese, Finnish, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish, and Swedish.

Lions Clubs International was founded in the United States in 1917 by Melvin Jones, a Chicago businessman. Jones asked, with regard to his colleagues, "What if these men who are successful because of their drive, intelligence and ambition, were to put their talents to work improving their communities?" Jones' personal code, "You can't get very far until you start doing something for somebody else," reminds many Lions of the importance of community service.

Lions are also passionate about developing effective leadership skills in their members and have an extensive leadership development program including an online Lions Learning Center and several leadership institutes.

We are known as Knights of the Blind for our sight programs including support and fundraising for the CNIB. Lions recycle Eye Glasses to third world countries. We loan wheelchairs, canes, crutches, and other health aids, and build paths and walkways, support youth programs and minor sports. The Alliston Lions also operate a very successful Christmas Hamper program.

We support youth through Boy Scouts and international exchange programs, school bursaries, vision screening, effective speaking, peace poster contest, Lions youth camps, Lions Quest/Thrive life skills for youth as well as many other local programs.

Campaign SightFirst II is a coordinated, global fund-raising effort involving all 1.35 million Lions in more than 45,000 clubs to raise US$150 million for the SightFirst program. It is conducted by Lions Clubs International Foundation, the grant-making arm of the International Association of Lions Clubs.

We are Women and Men who are community minded and need a break from the daily grind. If you are interested contact any Alliston Lions Club Member.

The Alliston Lions Club meets regularly on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month, with a social gathering at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7 p.m.

The meetings are held at the Alliston Lions Hall on 60 Boyne Street, Alliston (on the corner of Boyne & Maple).

If you would like to be a member of our club, please contact our Membership Chairperson at membership(at)allistonlions.ca for more information.

-note please change the (at) to @ prior to emailing.