Founded in 1917, Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization with 45,000 clubs and nearly 1.35 million members in 200 countries around the world. Its motto is “We Serve.” The international headquarters is located in Oak Brook, Illinois, United States. Membership is by invitation and attendance at meetings is expected on a monthly or fortnightly basis. Lions are a community-based organization with a hierarchy that can take a member from a club to office at zone, district and international levels. Funds raised by Lions Clubs from the general public are used for charitable purposes, with administration costs kept strictly separate and paid for by members.

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Lions Clubs are a community-based organizations with programs designed to fit individual communities. Our primary quest is to end blindness in the world with help for those visually blind or challenged. Services include individual vision care, eye research and independent living education.

North Carolina Lions Clubs are leaders worldwide with activities throughout the state with ongoing community projects for youth and the betterment of each community. North Carolina Lions Clubs are proud ofour statewide traveling Vision Van offering free eye screenings at schools, community centers, or wherever it’s needed, our Camp Dogwood for the Blind on Lake Norman and ongoing assistance with regional eye research centers such as Wake Foresty University Eye Center, Duke Univeristy Eye Center and UNC-Chapel Hill Youth Diabetic Eye Research Center.