Founded in 1917, we are best known for fighting blindness, but we also feed the hungry, aid seniors and the disabled, and care for the environment. Lions are a global service network of volunteers that make a difference in their local communities. By conducting vision screenings, equipping hospitals and clinics, distributing medicine and raising awareness of eye disease, Lions work toward the goal
of providing vision for all. Through programs such as SightFirst, Lions have helped provide more than 147 million treatments for river blindness, 10 million doses of a sight saving drug to prevent trachoma, and eye screenings for more than 15 million children. LIONS SERVE YOUTH. Our community projects often support children and local schools through scholarships, recreation and mentoring. Internationally we offer many programs to empower youth, including the Peace Poster Contest, youth camps and exchanges; and Lions Quest, a positive youth development program. Our Leo clubs help young people develop leadership skills while impacting their communities through service. There are approximately 157,000 Leos and 6,000 Leo clubs in more than 200 countries and geographic areas worldwide. LIONS RECEIVE GRANTS AND THE WORLD RECEIVES BENEFITS. Since 1968, Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) has awarded more than $811 million in grants to support Lions' humanitarian projects. As the official charitable organization of Lions Clubs International, LCIF helps Lions improve the lives of millions of people through four pillars of service: saving sight, supporting youth, providing disaster relief and meeting humanitarian needs. Though the Foundations' generous support of large-scale humanitarian initiatives, Lions are able to extend their reach from local communities to the global community in order to serve those who need us most.
