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Nicole Brown
Lions Clubs International Foundation
630-571-5466, ext. 386
E-mail: Nicole.Brown@lionsclubs.org

For Immediate Release

LCIF Recognizes 250,000th Melvin Jones Fellowship Donation

Oak Brook, Illinois, USA — Kazuhiro Seno, a member of the Imabari Lions Club in District 336-A, Japan, became the 250,000 Melvin Jones Fellow in February when he donated $1,000 to LCIF. Seno, a Lions club member for three years, has made small contributions to LCIF in the past. District 336-A is among the top 20 in terms of dollars donated to LCIF over the last year.

Seno designated his donation to Campaign SightFirst II. "The Lions in Japan are putting all their efforts to CSFII so I am happy to make this contribution. It is an honor for me to become the 250,000th Melvin Jones Fellow," he said. "We understand that CSFII is a very important event for Lions, and I am proud that my club is a CSFII Model Club." His club has made a $500 per member pledge to the Campaign and has a total of 92 MJFs. Most of the funds raised during the first Campaign SightFirst were through MJF donations.

The Melvin Jones Fellowship is the backbone of LCIF, providing 70 percent of the foundation's revenue. A recognition of humanitarian work, an MJF is awarded to those who donate US$1,000 to LCIF or to people for whom a donation was made by others. The award is the highest honor available from LCIF. Melvin Jones Fellows receive an attractive lapel pin, a plaque and a congratulatory letter.

Named for Lions Clubs International founder Melvin Jones, the Fellowship was established in 1973 and the Progressive program began in 1986 in response to Lions' request for a way to extend their commitment to LCIF. There are 100 levels of the Progressive program, which recognizes each additional $1,000 donation to LCIF. There are 43,400 PMJFs worldwide.

Melvin Jones Fellows are recognized during a luncheon held at each convention and their names are on a rotating computer list of donors in the MJF room at International Headquarters.

For more information on the Melvin Jones Fellowship program or to make a donation, click here. LCIF is the only official charity organization of Lions Clubs International.

Lions Clubs International Foundation is Lions helping Lions serve the world. Donations provide funding in the form of grants to financially assist Lions districts with large-scale humanitarian projects that are too extensive for Lions to finance on their own. The Foundation aids Lions in making a greater impact in their local communities, as well as around the world. Through LCIF, Lions ease pain and suffering and bring healing and hope to people worldwide.

Every dollar donated to LCIF goes toward a grant. Since LCIF began in 1968, it has awarded nearly 8,000 grants totaling US$583 million. To learn more about LCIF, visit www.lcif.org.