Our History

When caring people join together, roll up their sleeves and take action to make their community better, it’s a beautiful thing—and an incredible feeling for everyone involved. That’s Lions.

Being a Lion is about leading by example, building relationships and improving the world through kindness. It’s 1.4 million caring men and women serving together so they can make a lasting impact and change more lives.
Who We Are             

As Lions, we volunteer our time and efforts to humanitarian causes throughout our District, the State of Virginia and the World. By conducting service projects and raising funds, we strive to help those in need – wherever the need exists: locally or throughout the world community. The Lions’ motto is “We Serve.”

Our association was founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1917. Lions Clubs International has grown to be the world’s largest service organization with more than 1.3 million members belonging to local clubs in most countries of the world. The headquarters of Lions Clubs International is in Oak Brook, Illinois. The international association is governed by a board of directors, which is elected annually at the International Convention.
Our History is a long one. And a proud one. For over 100 years, we’ve served with uncommon kindness, putting the needs of our neighbors, our communities and our world first. We look back at our storied past with pride, but we know it’s only the beginning. Every day, we’re building on our legacy with the goal of making an even greater impact in the future. View our history

Lions speak many different languages and profess many religious and political beliefs; however, they all subscribe to common objectives and ethical principles.
What We Do   

Lions are an international network of 1.4 million men and women in 200+ countries and geographic areas who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world; 100+ years of serving Humanity.     Known for working to end preventable blindness, Lions participate in a vast variety of projects important to their communities. These projects range from cleaning up local parks to providing supplies to victims of natural disasters.   

Beginning in 1917, the association of Lions clubs has provided millions of people with the opportunity to give something back to their communities.  As Virginia Lions, we volunteer our time and efforts to our humanitarian causes throughout our district and the State of Virginia. By conducting service projects and raising funds, we strive to help to meet the need – to meet the need wherever it exists: locally or internationally throughout the world community. The Lions’ motto is We Serve.”
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