Ottumwa Noon Lions
Chartered May 2, 1939
GET INVOLVED
Recycle for Sight
Through Recycle for Sight, Lions collect new and gently used eyeglasses and sunglasses in collection bins. The glasses are then shipped to the nearest Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center, where volunteers sort the glasses, clean them and determine their prescription strength. After carefully packaging the refurbished spectacles, Lions store them until they can be distributed, usually through humanitarian missions to developing nations.
Leader Dogs
Leader Dogs for the Blind, the school has graduated more than 14,500 guide dogs since opening its doors. But its impact has been far greater. As one of the first service dog schools, it helped to popularize the idea of service dogs and started a movement by Lions to support training programs.
KidSight
Our mission is to ensure eye screening and follow-up care is given to all kids because every child deserves to learn and see the world clearly. This free program identifies potential vision problems in preschool and elementary children is the best way to prevent blindness.
International
Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization, with a network of 1.4 million men and women in more than 210 countries and geographical locations. We serve where we live, as well as globally, and we have fun doing it.
History
In 1917, Melvin Jones, a 38-year-old Chicago business leader, told members of his local business club they should reach beyond business issues and address the betterment of their communities and the world. Jones' group, the Business Circle of Chicago, agreed.
After contacting similar groups around the United States, an organizational meeting was held on June 7, 1917, in Chicago, Illinois, USA. The new group took the name of one of the invited groups, the "Association of Lions Clubs," and a national convention was held in Dallas, Texas, USA in October of that year. A constitution, by-laws, objects and a code of ethics were approved.
Within three years, Lions became an international organization. Since then, we've earned high marks for both integrity and transparency. We're a well-run organization with a steady vision, a clear mission, and a long – and proud – history.
