Selfless service and sacrifice, devotion and dedication towards the cause of less fortunate, makes a man truly great One truly great man was our founder MELVIN JONES.

Melvin Jones was born on January 13, 1879 at Fort Thomas Arizona, the son of an United States Army Captain who commanded a troop of scouts. Later, his father was transferred and the family moved east. As a young man, Jones made his home in Chicago, Illinois and associated himself with an insurance firm Jonhson & Higgins and in 1913 formed his own Melvin Jones Insurance Agency.

He soon joined the Business Circle, a businessmen’s Luncheon group, and was shortly elected secretary. This group was one of many at that time devoted solely to promoting the financial interest of their members. Because of their limited appeal, they were destined to disappear. Melvin Jones, however, had other plans. “What if these men,” he asked, “Who are successful because of their drive, intelligence and ambition, were to put their talents to work improving their communities?” Thus, at his invitation, delegates from many clubs met at Chicago to lay the groundwork for such an organization and on June 7, 1917, Lions Clubs International was born. It was stipulated that clubs were not to be social in nature nor were members permitted to promote their own business interests.

Lionism’s founder was also recognised as a leader outside the Association. One of his greatest honours was in 1945 when he represented Lions Clubs International as a consultant in San Francisco, California at the organization of the United Nations.

Melvin Jones, the man whose personal code, “You can’t get very far until you start doing something for somebody else” – became a guiding principle for public-spirited people the world over. He died on June 1, 1961, at 82 years of age.

He is no more with us but he is and will ever be with millions and millions of committed Lions who live fully to their own proclamation WE SERVE.

His life was a benediction. His vision is an inspiration