• About Us

    Rooted in history, committed to service.

    Our Membership

    The Dallas Founder Lions Club is a vibrant community of 65 members from diverse ages, professions, and backgrounds, united by a common goal to serve and make a difference. Governed by dedicated executive officers and a board, our club meets twice monthly. In addition to our meetings, we participate in service projects that drive positive change locally and globally. Our meetings often feature outside speakers and focus on important topics that impact our community and align with the key causes of Lions International.

    Our Club's Leadership

    In addition to regular meetings, our Dallas Founder Lions Club board of directors convenes monthly to strategize and oversee various service projects. We actively collaborate with other clubs in our district and engage with district eadership to amplify our impact. Our members also participate in key Lions International programs, including annual conventions, specialized trainings, and Lions Day at the United Nations, showcasing our commitment to global community service.

    Our Club's Commitment

    Being a Lion means impacting lives meaningfully. The Dallas Founder Lions Club is committed to addressing critical community needs, aligning our local service projects and programs closely with the eight key areas identified by Lions Clubs International: supporting children and families affected by childhood cancer, combating diabetes, providing disaster relief, protecting the environment, delivering humanitarian aid, enhancing food security, preventing avoidable blindness and supporting those with vision loss, and empowering youth. Our efforts ensure that every initiative meets immediate local needs and contributes to global causes, reinforcing our dedication to creating a significant and lasting impact.

  • A Legacy of Service

    Empowering the Dallas Community Since 1916: Over a Century of Service and Impact.

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    Founding Years

    Established in 1916, the Dallas Founder Lions Club was born out of a visionary group of leaders determined to serve and improve the Dallas community. From its early days, the club has been a beacon of hope by launching initiatives focused on critical local needs. Notably, in 1917, our founders were instrumental in forming Lions Clubs International. Over the decades, while expanding our mission, we have continuously adapted to meet the evolving needs of our community, always holding fast to our core values of service and fellowship.

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    Evolution of Our Mission

    Since its inception, the Dallas Founder Lions Club has dynamically adapted to the shifting needs of our community. With a primary focus on vision care and education, we've pioneered essential vision screenings and established various scholarship programs for local students. Our ongoing adaptability ensures our efforts remain relevant and impactful, significantly enhancing lives through improved health and educational opportunities.




     

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    A Commitment to Community

    With nearly a century of service, the Dallas Founder Lions Club has built a legacy characterized by deep compassion and leadership. Our members have tirelessly worked on numerous impactful projects aimed at uplifting the community. We've formed partnerships with key local organizations to maximize our impact and extend our reach. Today, we continue to honor our
    founders' vision by actively fostering a spirit of volunteerism and dedication among our members.

  • History of the Dallas Founder Lions Club

    Celebrating Community Leadership and Compassionate Action

  • Founding Vision and Early Impact
    Founded on March 31, 1916, as the Dallas Lions Club, the club was initiated by a group of civic-minded business leaders focused on structured community service in the rapidly growing city of Dallas. Our club was officially chartered on September 19, 1916, establishing itself as a critical component of Dallas's civic infrastructure. The Dallas Lions quickly became involved in community health and public well-being initiatives, with the first recorded mention of our club in the Dallas Morning News on April 28, 1916.
    Early Health Initiatives and Community Leadership

    One of the our first major initiatives was the funding of the Dallas Baby Camp in the late 1910s, an innovative healthcare facility for sick infants from low-income families, which also provided education for mothers on infant care. This project significantly contributed to reducing the high infant mortality rate in Dallas. Following this, the club made significant improvements to local infrastructure, including lighting for the Oak Cliff Viaduct—now known as the Houston Street Viaduct—and undertook the restoration of the Dallas County Courthouse clock tower, which was not in operation.

    Pioneering Leadership in Lions Clubs International
    After meeting with businessman Melvin Jones in Chicago in the summer of 1916, the club played a crucial role in forming Lions Clubs International. We hosted the first International Convention at the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas on October 8, 1917, attended by twenty-five founding clubs, including eleven from Texas. This pivotal event marked the establishment of the International Association of Lions Clubs. Dallas club members were instrumental in drafting the original constitution and code of ethics and influenced the adoption of the motto "We Serve." Three members of the Dallas Founder Club have been elected to be Presidents of the International Association of Lions Clubs, a feat unmatched by any other club.
    Supporting the Nation During World War I
    The club's commitment extended beyond local projects during these formative years, significantly as World War I escalated. The Dallas Founder Lions Club actively participated in the Liberty Loan Campaign, demonstrating its support for national efforts by purchasing $1,000 in bonds from the club's treasury. The club also joined the Red Cross as a unit and frequently contributed to the welfare and quality of life for soldiers housed at the temporary Army base at Fair Park in Dallas. These contributions underscored the club’s readiness to aid the wider community in times of need, reflecting the founders' intent that supporting the country would become a focal point of the club's early involvement.

    Expansion and Legacy Building
    The Dallas Founder Lions Club has been instrumental in expanding Lionism locally and internationally. We sponsored the formation of several other Lions clubs, including the Park Cities Lions Club and the Oak Cliff Lions Club in 1929, and later, the Dallas Inwood Lions Club, Dallas Central Lions Club, Carrollton Lions Club, East Dallas Lions Club, and the Dallas South Lions Club. Our influence also reached Egypt, where we helped establish the Lions Club in Cairo in the 1970s.
    Ongoing Commitment and Community Leadership
    Today, the Dallas Founder Lions Club remains committed to serving the community through various initiatives, including vision care, diabetes awareness, environmental protection, and disaster relief. The club also provides eyeglasses to schoolchildren and needy adults, offers scholarships, and supports youth contests and diabetic day camps.

    A Century of Service and Beyond
    As the Dallas Founder Lions Club approaches its second century of service, it continues to be inspired by its founders' ideals. It seeks new ways to contribute to Dallas's well-being and inspire future generations of Lions. Each project and initiative builds on a legacy of substantial impact, driven by a passion for service and community betterment.

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