Area Lions Clubs plan centennial breakfast

WESTSIDE — Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service club organization, marked its 100th anniversary on June 7.

Melvin Jones, a Chicago businessman, invited several Chicago area business clubs to meet and suggested a single organization with humanitarian concerns at its core. The group accepted the name of one of the groups and became the Association of Lions Clubs. Today there are more than 1.4 million Lions in 200 countries or geographical areas.

In Arkansas, the Lions recently held their 99th annual convention. From June 28 through July 1, Lions Clubs International will hold its 100th anniversary convention and celebration in Chicago.

On July 1, which coincides with the Lions parade in Chicago, Benton andWashington County Lions will meet for breakfast at Golden Corral in Rogers. Breakfast will be at 9 a.m. and a group photo will be taken about 10:30. Lions also wish to remind Northwest Arkansas that Lions are providing various services to local communities. There are 12 clubs and nearly 250 members in the two counties.

While the Lions Clubs are best known for their services to the visually and hearingimpaired, each club is as unique as the community it serves. As part of the centennial challenge, each club has been asked to engage in service activities in each of four areas, vision, youth, hunger and the environment.

Benton and Washington County Lions Clubs include Bella Vista, Bentonville (two clubs), Centerton, Elkins, Fayetteville, Gentry, Gravette, Pea Ridge, Prairie Grove, Rogers and Siloam Springs.

For information, contact Jeff Davis, P.O. Box 84, Gravette, AR 72736, call 479-7871068 or email jduke@att.net.