WESTSIDE — Lions Clubs International, the world's largest service club organization, marked its 100th anniversary on June 7, 2017. Melvin Jones, a Chicago businessman, invited several Chicago area business clubs to meet and suggested a single organization with humanitarian concerns at its core. The group accepted the name of one of the groups and became the Association of Lions Clubs. Today there are more 1.4 million Lions in 200 countries or geographical areas.
In Arkansas, the Lions recently held their 99th annual convention, and June 28 through July 1 Lions Clubs International will be holding its 100th anniversary convention and celebration in Chicago, where it all started.
On July 1, which coincides with the big Lions parade in Chicago, Benton and Washington County Lions will be meeting for breakfast at the Golden Corral in Rogers. Breakfast will be at 9 a.m. and a group photo will be taken about 10:30. Lions will be celebrating this milestone but also wish to remind northwest Arkansas that Lions are here providing various services to local communities. There are 12 clubs and nearly 250 members in the two counties.
While the Lions Clubs are best known for their services to the visually and hearing impaired, each club is as unique as the community it serves. As part of the centennial challenge, each club has been asked to engage in service activities in each of four areas, vision, youth, hunger and the environment.
Benton and Washington County Lions Clubs include Bella Vista, Bentonville (two clubs), Centerton, Elkins, Fayetteville, Gentry, Gravette, Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove, Rogers and Siloam Springs.
For further information, contact Jeff Davis, P.O. Box 84, Gravette, AR 72736, call 479-787-1068 or email [email protected].
Community on 06/14/2017