The Lions Services for Children Program was adopted in 2003, continuing Lions Clubs International's long tradition of helping the world's future generations.  Lions can help to improve the lives of children and adolescents in adverse circumstances by developing projects with specific, attainable goals in the areas of health and education.

Program Resources:

Lions Services for Children Worldwide Symposium Program
Beginning July 1, 2008, four grants will be issued each fiscal year in each constitutional area. The symposium grant offers up to US$1,000 expense reimbursement assistance to help alleviate program costs. Grants will be approved for the organization of a symposium or conference that will promote activities supportive of Lions' health and education services for children in need. Learn more about the symposium program and the application process.

Lions/UNICEF School-in-a-Box
UNICEF and Lions clubs can team up to ensure the continuation of children's education when earthquakes, hurricanes, civil unrest and other disasters suddenly disrupt their daily lives. The School-in-a-Box kit helps to establish temporary classrooms almost anywhere in the world and provides essential school supplies and materials for a teacher and up to 80 students. School-in-a-Box gives children the opportunities for organized activities, interaction with peers and a semblance of normal life in times of crisis. To find out how your club, district or multiple district can make a donation, click here.

Lions Emergency/Non-Emergency Database
This LCI database provides Lions with an effective way to communicate locally and internationally, enabling them to collaborate on emergency or non-emergency humanitarian projects for children and other projects. Lions can offer to donate or submit requests for resources, supplies and volunteer assistance. Learn more about this helpful database for Lions.

Lions Recreational Camps
Lions-sponsored camps offer education and recreational opportunities for children who are blind, visually impaired, hearing impaired, who have diabetes or other disabilties. E-mail children@lionsclubs.org for camp information.

The Hadley School for the Blind
Hadley, one of Lions Clubs International's partners, is the largest worldwide distance educator of blind and visually impaired children (age 14+) and adults, their families and blindness service professionals. 

Publications Available

• Lions Services for Children brochure (IAD-303) gives an overview of the program and encourages Lions' participation in serving the needs of children in their communities
• Lions Services for Children Community Needs Assessment (IAD-304) can help a club or district identify local children living in adverse circumstances and determine opportunities to provide esssential services
• Lions Services for Children Symposium Application (LSC-9) is the official form to apply for expense assistance during fiscal year 2008-2009. All expense assistance will be subject to the program's Rules of Audit.

Online Resources

• Chairperson Newsletter - NEW quarterly newsletter is sent to Lions Services for Children chairs and other interested Lions. Click here to add your name to the mailing list.
• Lions Newswire - provides the latest Lions information, announcements and program information
• Lions Learning Center - offers online courses to develop skills for a successful leadership role
• PR Tools - public service announcements (PSA's), fill-in-the-blank press releases, print ads and other tools can help raise public awareness of your club and district activities.

For Additional Information and Resources

• World Health Organization (WHO) is the United Nations agency that is responsible for international public health.
• The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) works for children's rights, their survival, development and protection
• Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing helps families understand childhool hearing loss and the importance of early diagnosis and prevention
• International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is a worldwide alliance of 200 diabetes associations in 158 countries, who have come together to enhance the lives of children and adults with diabetes everywhere.
• Vision 2020 - The Right To Sight is the global iniative for the elimination of avoidable blindness launched by WHO and The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness.

Important Dates

• Lions Services for Children Seminar - June 24, 2008: an outstanding seminar to be held at the 91st Annual Lions Clubs International Convention in Bangkok, Thailand
• Lions World Sight Day - October 9 (2nd Thursday in October): an annual event focusing on blindness and visual impairement
• World Diabetes Day - November 14: designated as the primary global awareness campaign for diabetes. This year's theme is "Diabetes in Children and Adolescents."

Chairperson Award
International Headquarters provides district governors with the Lions Services for Children Certificate of Achievement. On behalf of the association, the district governor presents the award to the Lions Services for Children chairperson in recognition of outstanding leadership in the district to improve the lives of children living in adverse cirumstances.

Contact us
Lions Services for Children chairpersons are encouraged to submit information and photographs of successful children's projects to the Health & Children's Services Department. For more information about any of the above programs or publications, please contact us:

Health & Children's Services Department 
Lions Clubs International
300 W 22nd Street, Oak Brook,  Illinois 60523-8842 USA
Ph: 630-571-5466, ext. 318 or 320
E-mail: children@lionsclubs.org