Title: 
Lions Clubs Help Communities Thrive

Word Count:
244

Summary:
Do you ever tell yourself, "Someday I'm going to get involved in my community"? Now is your chance. By joining an organization such as Lions Clubs International, you can help people within your community or on the other side of the world.


Keywords:
Lions Clubs Help Communities Thrive


Article Body:
Do you ever tell yourself, "Someday I'm going to get involved in my community"? Now is your chance. By joining an organization such as Lions Clubs International, you can help people within your community or on the other side of the world.

As a Lions volunteer, you can become involved in projects such as building community playgrounds, assisting in vision screenings at schools, aiding seniors, improving the environment, building homes for the disabled, supporting diabetes education and conducting hearing screenings.

Lions club members include men and women who share a commitment to service and take great pride in making an impact on local and global communities. Investing time in Lions club projects gives members a sense of connectedness to the community and an opportunity to make friends, gain leadership skills and network with others while having fun. Lions also provide opportunities for youth through youth exchange programs, youth camps and Leo clubs.

From 2002 through 2003, Lions Clubs International's nearly 1.4 million members worldwide volunteered an estimated 65 million hours and donated $667 million. The organization was founded in 1917 and with 46,000 clubs in 193 countries, it is the world's largest service organization. 

Lions Clubs International Foundation, the grant-making arm of Lions Clubs International, has awarded $342 million to provide food and clothing to victims of earthquakes and hurricanes, give youth the tools to succeed in the classroom, empower the disabled through vocational training, and equip clinics and hospitals with new technology. SightFirst, an aggressive $143.5 million program, is working to eradicate blindness.