Burlington Lions
The Burlington Lions Club of Ontario Canada exists to provide service to the local community and the worldwide community through the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF). It was the 18th Lions Club formed in Canada and the first service club in Burlington. It is a group of volunteers that have served the community since it was chartered in 1925. It was originally called the Burlington Lions Club. In 1956, the Burlington Lions sponsored the formation of the Burlington Nelson Lions Club and the name changed from the Burlington Lions to the Burlington Central Lions. In 2006, the clubs merged and the club is now once again the Burlington Lions. The Burlington Lions are part of District A-711, Region 6, Zone 6B.
The club has owned the property bounded by Martha Street, Maria Street, Pearl Street and James Street since the late 1920's. The use of the total area is dedicated to community service. In 1991, an agreement between the Burlington Central Lions club and CATC - now known as ROCK (Reach Out Centre for Kids) - brought about the redevelopment of the property and the building of the facility that opened in June of 1992. The facility is shared by the two organizations.
Recognition
Internationally Lions are known as "Knights of the Blind" and for disaster relief.
Provincially Lions developed the world's first Dialysis Camp for kidney care in Dorset, Ontario and the Dog Guide school in Oakville, Ontario.
Locally Lions are recognized for work with community, youth and health-related organizations.
Lions Clubs International
Lions are an international network of over a million men and women in more than 200 countries and geographic areas who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world. Click here for an overview of Lions International.
Known for working to end preventable blindness, Lions participate in a vast variety of projects important to their communities. These projects range from cleaning up local parks to providing supplies to victims of natural disasters.
In 1925, Helen Keller challenged Lions to become "knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness". Today, Lions are recognized worldwide for their service to the blind and visually impaired. Lions demonstrate their commitment to sight conservation through eyeglass recycling, sight partnerships and countless other sight services.
The Lions ambitious Sight First Program has restored sight through cataract surgeries, prevented serious vision loss and improved eye care services for hundreds of millions of adults and children. To continue and expand this effort, Lions have launched Campaign SightFirst II, with a goal of raising at least US$150 million. LCIF reached a major milestone in trachoma treatments January 23, 2008 when LCIF Chairperson Jimmy Ross distributed the 10 millionth dose of azithromycin (Zithromax�).
Lions Impact - by the numbers - click here to see the impact of the international organization.
Vision Statement
To be the global leader in community and humanitarian service.
Mission Statement
To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.
Lions Code of Ethics -- every Lion pledges to uphold this code
To Show my faith in the worthiness of my vocation by industrious application to the end that I may merit a reputation for quality of service.
To Seek success and to demand all fair remuneration or profit as my just due, but to accept no profit or success at the price of my own self-respect lost because of unfair advantage taken or because of questionable acts on my part.
To Remember that in building up my business it is not necessary to tear down another's; to be loyal to my clients or customers and true to myself.
Whenever a doubt arises as to the right or ethics of my position or action towards others, to resolve such doubt against myself.
To Hold friendship as an end and not a means. To hold that true friendship exists not on account of the service performed by one another, but that true friendship demands nothing but accepts service in the spirit in which it is given.
Always to bear in mind my obligations as a citizen to my nation, my state, and my community, as to give them my unswerving loyalty in word, act, and deed. To give them freely of my time, labor and means.
To Aid others by giving my sympathy to those in distress, my aid to the weak, and my substance to the needy.
To Be Careful with my criticism and liberal with my praise; to build up and not destroy.
Lions International Purposes
To Organize, charter and supervise service clubs to be known as Lions clubs.
To Coordinate the activities and standardize the administration of Lions clubs.
To Create and foster a spirit of understanding among the peoples of the world.
To Promote the principles of good government and good citizenship.
To Take an active interest in the civic, cultural, social and moral welfare of the community.
To Unite the clubs in the bonds of friendship, good fellowship and mutual understanding.
To Provide a forum for the open discussion of all matters of public interest; provided, however, that partisan politics and sectarian religion shall not be debated by club members.
To Encourage service-minded people to serve their community without personal financial reward, and to encourage efficiency and promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions, public works and private endeavors.