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International Association of LIONS ClubsThe International Association of Lions Clubs (www.lionsclubs.org) was created in 1917 by a Chicago businessman named Melvin Jones. The International is today the largest service organization in the world--1.4 million members--42000 clubs--in 178 countries. Leo clubs are for young people aged 16. Lions clubs members give their time, skills, and resources to raise funds for charitable giving. The major focus is sight conservation. Lions took up sight conservation after a speech by Helen Keller given at a Lions Convention. The United Nations called upon the International to raise funds for a program of world-wide sight conservation through its Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF). This organization raised $130,000,000 from its membership, the program is known as "SightFirst." As a result--650,000 cataract surgeries and 48 eye hospitals with 920 beds have been funded all over the World. SightFirst has funded the training of 1,150 ophthalmic assistants, nurses, and public eye health workers in developing countries. The Cranbury Lions Club, through its members, have met their quota in the program "SightFirst." It has five LCIF Melvin Jones Fellows, Members who have made $1000 contributions. Club HistoryArthur L. (Pete) Burroughs of Cranbury, and Fred Gowen, a member of the New Brunswick Lions Club, had some conversations about the desirability of having a club in Cranbury; whether any approach was made to International Headquarters is not known. Later, "Pete" and Wm. C. Hoffman,a member of the Trenton Lions Club, pursued the subject and the outcome was the sending of an International organizer, Larry Slater, from Washington, D. C. He was given a list of twenty-five names of people who might be interested in becoming Charter members; the minimum was twenty-four. Very quickly, Lion Slater secured the twenty-four names and the organization was completed. Dr. Miller was elected the first president, E. Stanley Barclay, secretary, and Leslie W. Perrine, treasurer. Charter night was June 24, 1932 at the Cranbury Inn. There are no surviving Charter members. A copy of the booklet outlining the first 60 years
is available upon request from our Club Secretary, George Smith; and, a copy of
the 75-Year History will be available at the 75th Anniversary Celebration. |
