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ABOUT LEOS

WHY LEOS CLUBS ?
When the first Leos Club was organized in 1957, its purpose was clear. Give
young people an opportunity through partnership with Lions to develop as
responsible, service-minded individual.
Lions from the beginning hand sponsored service activities for young people
because of their interest in youth, as represented by their pledge “To take an
active interest in the civic, culture, social, and moral welfare of the community.”
Because it was such a neutral and logical activity for Lions, the first Leos club
probably seemed like little out of the ordinary. But it did not take long for
Lions Clubs of their communities and in other countries to grasp the special
significance of Leos Club sponsorship. In recognition of their importance as
a Lions Club service to youth, Leos clubs were formally adopted as an official
program of the Lions Clubs International in 1967, the year of the association’s
Golden Anniversary.
Leos clubs are a service to youth in the truest sense. Sponsored only by Lions
Clubs and governed by a standard constitution, they are open to young men,
women of good character of all races and creeds. Modeled on their parent
organization Leos clubs help young people grow as leaders and generous
human being while providing invaluable service to the community. Leos club
being a youth project of this globally recognized organization, provides each
and every one of us, an international platform where we can build on positive
character traits and make friends all around the world. The meetings conducted
at Club/Region/District /Multiple level gives us an opportunity to observe, learn
and then enhance such a high level organizational skill. Leos clubs also do fund
raising programs and give it back to the society by organizing social programs
which benefit the society. These objectives form the central theme of Leos clubs.
ABOUT LEOS CLUBS
In 1957, Glenside Lions Jim Graver and William Ernst of Pennsylvania USA
persuaded 26 member of the Abington High School Baseball team and 9
other Abington High School student to form a service club. All together 35
Leo members of Abington High School formed The World First Leos club –
The Abington High School Leos club in 1957, December 5. In 1964, the Leos
club Program became an official district project and started to grow rapidly in
Pennsylvania and other surrounding areas. Leo program was officially accepted
by lions international only on October.

1967 LEO MILESTONES
1967 - 200 Leos clubs organized in 18 countries
1968 - 918 clubs in 48 countries

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