Some people feel called to make a difference in the world around them. These folks put aside their political and religious differences and work together to serve need where they find it, without regard for personal gain. We call ourselves Lions, and we belong to the world’s largest service organization, with 1.3 million members in over 200 countries and geograpical areas.

For over ninety years, the men and women of more than 45,000 Lions Clubs worldwide have been active in meeting the needs of our communities. While our signature projects are related to sight conservation — preventing blindness and the conditions that cause it — we also feed the hungry and shelter the needy. We respond to natural disasters, with relief supplies and cash in hand. We provide eyeglasses and hearing aids to children and adults who can’t afford them. Last year, In California alone, we provided over $5 million worth of eye surgeries free of cost to children and adults in need.

Around the globe, we have saved the sight of 27 million people since 1995. We are working to save the sight of 37 million more by 2020. Our work promotes international understanding and creates conditions that foster peace. In a 2007 special report, Corporate Citizenship and Philanthropy, the Financial Times ranked our Lions Club International Foundation as the top non-governmental organization in the world.

As with all good works, charity begins at home. We start by improving the lives of our neighbors. Are you one of us? Do you hear a call to meaningful, life-changing community service? If so, we need you! We are already hard at work, donating backpacks filled with school supplies to needy Mountain View students, and offering free screening clinics to help identify those at risk for blindness. We volunteer on a Lions build for Habitat for Humanity in Silicon Valley. We are always looking for other ways to serve. If you see a particular community need we can help with, or if you just want to lend a hand to our numerous ongoing projects, visit a meeting of our club to see if this is the organization for you.

Meetings

We meet the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 7:00 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, 748 Hope Street, Mountain View. (map) All are welcome.

Join Us

Membership in the Silicon Valley Lions Club is by invitation from a current Lion. If you are interested in joining our efforts, please contact any Silicon Valley Lion, or email our Membership Director. Or just come visit one of our meetings, projects or other public event and let us know of your interest.