Lions Clubs of Multiple District 36, Oregon and Northern California

We Serve

Eugene, OR USA

541-484-0452

Lions of Oregon & Northern California are a part of an international network of 1.4 million men and women in 200 countries and geographic areas who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world. Lions are best known for working to end preventable blindness, the giving of eyeglasses and hearing aids for the needy and local service projects.

 

Mission Statement of Lions Clubs International:

 

"To create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needs by providing voluntary services through community involvement and international cooperation."

 

Compassion Is The First Organ Of The Human Spirit

November 06, 2023  /  Leah Malcolm

     Being District Governor generates something inside of me that is so enlivening.  I get a sense of pride and inspiration from the creativity and dedication of members and clubs, and to say “I am a Lion” is empowering. It is a privilege to be welcomed into this variety of clubs who are finding new members, trying new service projects, working to let everyone participate with ideas and discussions.

     Recently I went to the Gresham Supper Club’s annual ‘9 pin 10 high’ bowling event in Gresham.  I was amazed at how many happy people were bowling their hearts away having a chance to hang out with their friends, families and Lions and perhaps a chance to cash in on a 50/50 drawing.  I had to go to one of my own club members, a bowler, to explain this 9 pin game to me.  Through his big grin I learned how fun this game is telling me that he has rolled 9 different 300 scores (the highest bowling score) playing 9 pin. Sponsors bought lanes and brought their families or office staff to just to hang together.  It was an inspiration of giving service to the community to just have an opportunity for fun together.

     Community service, I believe, is a by-product of compassion in the hearts of those who cannot keep compassion inside or private. Like the Lion in St. Helens who could not sit still when the park next door had no lifeguard to keep an eye on the kids swimming in the river.  So she took it on herself to collect up as many used life jackets to be available to borrow when using the beach. Or the countless benches of recycled plastics that dot the landscapes of parks and city halls just so someone can take a load off, take a break, and just watch the world go round. Or the Milwaukee club buying a spot screener to bring to Peru for a Lions Club there to screen their kids for vision issues just like we do for our kids here.

     I once heard the Dali Llama said at a panel discussion of religious leaders that compassion is the first organ of the human spirit.  It sets us apart and is the power of recognizing that whatever differences we have, we are all in this life together. Whenever I get to join a meeting of Lions I feel like I am entering into a lion’s den of compassion expressing itself through the like-minded collection of Lions.  The Lions provide an opportunity, an outlet, for anyone to express the compassion in their hearts in tangible ways that comes through community service.

     I am personally grateful to be a part.

“Will you not help me hasten the day when there shall be no preventable blindness; no little deaf, blind child untaught; no blind man or woman unaided? I appeal to you Lions, you who have your sight, your hearing, you who are strong and brave and kind. Will you not constitute yourselves Knights of the Blind in this crusade against darkness?”
— Helen Keller's Speech at 1925 International Convention Cedar Point, Ohio, USA June 30, 1925