Lions Clubs International Centennial Silver Dollar

A century ago, Melvin Jones, a Chicago business leader and member of a businessmen’s luncheon group, posed a simple question: “What if these men, who are successful because of their drive, intelligence, and ambition, were to put their talents to work improving their communities?”

In 1917, Jones made this vision a reality when he founded Lions Clubs International, a service club organization with the guiding principle of “We Serve.” The organization empowers its volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace, and promote international understanding. Services include community, environmental, youth, health programs, and disaster relief work.

In 2017, Lions Clubs International celebrated 100 years of community service to men, women, and children worldwide. Since its founding, it has become one of the world’s largest organizations of its kind. Its 1.4 million members in more than 46,000 clubs provide humanitarian services in more than 200 countries.