The World's Largest Service Club Organization Just Got Larger!

OAK BROOK, Ill., June 20, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Lions Clubs International – already the world's largest service club organization – announced today that it has surpassed its previous global membership record of 1,425,310 set in 1996 by surpassing 1,445,591 members. This milestone was achieved 100 years after the founding of Lions in June 1917. To achieve the mark, Lions added 214,417 new members over the past 12 months.

Lions International serves on average 96 million people per year. Statistics indicate that for every new member who joins, the organization can serve an addition 70 people – or an additional 15 million this year alone based on membership growth. At a time when many service organizations are experiencing lower membership numbers, the growth of Lions International is unprecedented.

Lions International is a community based organizations with over 47,000 clubs located in 200 countries or geographic areas around the world – in both rural and urban areas – making it a natural fit for people who want to volunteer their time in service to others.

Lions are known for their work with the blind and visually impaired, hunger relief, youth services, and projects to improve the environment. And because there are clubs throughout the world, Lions are often first on the scene when natural disasters strike.

When asked what he attributes to the record growth, Lions International President, Chancellor Bob Corlew of Milton, Tennessee said, "People want to make an impact, and they can do that through Lions clubs." He added, "We have seen record growth this year in South Asia – particularly in India and Nepal, as well as continued growth in China, Japan, and Korea. And globally we saw a surge in the number of women joining our organization. Our historic growth means we can bring even more service to more people around the world."

Lions International will celebrate its 100th year of humanitarian service this year at its annual international convention to be held at McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, the city where Lions began. Over 30,000 Lions from 110 countries will gather in Chicago from June 28 to July 4th, making the convention its largest ever held in North America.

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SOURCE Lions Clubs International