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For Information Contact:
Kristopher Kempski
630-571-5466, ext. 371
Kristopher.Kempski@lionsclubs.org

For Immediate Release

LIONS WORLDWIDE COMMEMORATE NINE DECADES OF SERVICE WITH YEAR OF CELEBRATIONS
        
Oak Brook, IL, USA, February 9, 2007 – Lions club members around the world will celebrate several milestones through a variety of service projects and events during the Lions Clubs International Year of Celebrations.

This year marks the 90th anniversary of Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service organization. In 1917 Chicagoan Melvin Jones invited fellow business leaders to help lay the groundwork for an organization focused on improving local communities. Today, 1.3 million men and women Lions in 200 countries and geographic areas are helping to make the world a better place.

“We are proud of our association’s history and our service to the community,” said Lions Clubs International President Jimmy M. Ross. “When you give unconditionally, not looking for it to come back to you, it will come back ten-fold.”

In 1925 Helen Keller spoke at the annual Lions International Convention and challenged Lions to become “knights of the blind.” Lions have worked tirelessly ever since to end preventative blindness. Today, Lions collect used eyeglasses, orchestrate vision screenings and missions, fund eye banks and much more. In addition to vision programs, Lions are focused on helping people in many other ways, including mentoring youth, building playgrounds, assisting the elderly, providing disaster relief and other activities.

This year also marks the 50th anniversary of Leo clubs, offering youth an opportunity to learn, grow and serve; the 20th anniversary of women in Lions, now the fastest growing group of Lions; and the 20th anniversary of the Peace Poster program, which provides 11, 12 and 13 year olds with a creative outlet to discuss their feelings for peace.

To find out more about Lions and how to begin improving your community and the world around you, visit www.lionsclubs.org or contact the Membership Operations Department at memberops@lionsclubs.org or 630-571-5466, ext. 356.