Chicago Mayfair Lions Club

Serving the Mayfair Community since 1947

MD1 District 1-A

Who are the Lions?

The Lions are the World’s Largest Service Organization with over 1.3 million in membership in over 189 countries and geographical areas. Started in Chicago, Illinois on June 7, 1917 by Melvin Jones. Jones was the driving force behind in making his Club, the Chicago Business Circle, become more active in community and civic affairs. The Lions clubs slowly evolved out of combining many businessmen’s clubs into one cohesive unit.

The slogan of the Lions is: Liberty, Intelligence, Our Nation’s Safety and was officially adopted at the 1919 convention. The Lion was chosen as the emblem for this organization because the Lion symbolized courage, strength, fidelity and vital action. The emblem shows the Lion’s head facing in two directions. One head is looking to our past and the other is looking to the future. This emblem was adopted at a Board Meeting in 1920.

The first issue of The Lion Magazine appeared in November of 1918 and had 28 pages plus the cover. In 2002, 31 official editions of The Lion Magazine are published in twenty-one different languages as well as in large print and in braille.

The Lions truly became International with the formation of the Border Cities Lions Club in Ontario, Canada in 1920.

At the 9th International Convention in 1925 at Cedar point, Ohio, Helen Keller stated “I am your opportunity. I am knocking at your door.” I want to be adopted … will you not help me hasten the day when there shall be no preventable blindness … No little deaf, blind child untaught … No blind man or woman unaided? This visually and hearing impaired woman called on the Lions to be the “Knights of the Blind.”

Other countries began to form Lions Club – China, then Mexico and then to Switzerland and Sweden. Lions Club reached a milestone in February, 1973 with the inducted of the one millionth member, Barney Gill, from the Oceana Lions Club, Virginia Beach, Virginia.

In the Golden Anniversary Year, of 1967, Lions membership passed the 800,000 mark. The first Lions Club in an Eastern bloc country was organized in late 1988 in Budapest, Hungary which was sponsored by the Helsinki Lions Club of Finland. In 2002, the first clubs in China were established, the China Shenzhen & the China Guangdong Lions Clubs. Also, Lionism came to Russia in 2002, with a Club in St. Petersburg and one in Moscow.

As of April 2002, the are were 44,675 Lions clubs in 738 districts in 189 countries and geographic areas.

Why a Lions club?

As a united group, many things can be done that would be impossible for any one person to accomplish alone. There are no barriers in Lionism as to creed, religion or country or national origin. There is a place for every person in a Lions Program. Each member is another pair of hands that can offer help and love to those in need.

The advantages of membership in a Lions Club are many. First of all, a person has a chance to express their concern for human needs through structured and productive service activities which benefit their community, state and around the world. As a participant in an international program, the opportunity is provided for cultural exchange, international friendships and understanding. The enjoyment of club membership and the friendships that arise from participating in fund raising and community service projects are unlimited.

The motto of Lions worldwide is “We Serve." This can be the motto for any person who wishes to give a bit of hope to his fellowman.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Lions, please contact IPDG, Lion Georg Toft.

Learn more about Lionism