The traditional 50th anniversary gift is something made of gold. However, for Lions Clubs International’s 50th anniversary in 1967 the Lions decided to give rather than receive.
In the 12 months leading up to the 1967 Golden Anniversary Convention, Lions around the world collected food, medicine and building supplies for communities in need in Central and South America. On July 4 of that year, the Lions-CARE Friend-Ship set out from Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois, one of many ships funded by Lions Clubs International and CARE to carry the supplies donated and gathered for the Friend-Ship mission to ports in Guatemala and other locations in Central and South America..
The year 1967 marked the 10th anniversary of the partnership between Lions and the Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere (CARE). Originally established to rebuild Europe following World War II, CARE began working with Lions after the Korean War to distribute food to South Korean communities in need. The two organizations also built temporary tent-cities to house and feed refugees and families displaced by flooding of the Han River. As winter approached, CARE and the United States Lions worked with the Lions of Seoul, South Korea, to build new, permanent homes made of traditional ondol bricks.
Lions and CARE continued to work together, including raising funds for a mobile unit where volunteers could make and distribute hot meals to schools in poverty-stricken areas. Lions and CARE worked in Honduras, India, Greece, Panama and elsewhere around the world to build community centers, maintain medical schools and teach vocational skills to men and women who are blind.
The partnership between Lions Clubs International and CARE was built on a 50-year tradition of Lions serving communities in need at home and abroad. This tradition continues today. The year 1968 saw the creation of the Lions Clubs International Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting Lions’ worldwide mission to carry out essential humanitarian service projects. LCIF has expanded Lions Clubs International’s scope and ability to serve, offering grants for education and much-needed funds for emergency services and humanitarian missions. LCIF has built on Lions’ foundation of service ever since.
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