Lions Club International began in Chicago in 1917.

One hundred years later the organization has 46,000 clubs in over 200 countries. Lions Clubs serve their local communities, but Richland Lions Club Secretary and Treasurer Shirley Vandee points out, “I don’t think a lot of people know that the Lions association, the international, if there’s a disaster in a place you know, like there’s a flood, they will come in and help people. Just like Red Cross or anybody else you know, and they’re out there to help people in need is what they’re out there for.”

The Richland Lions Club serves the community by providing eye screenings at area schools, refurbishing eyeglasses and hearing aids, and giving them to those in need. They also support Camp Courageous in Monticello, and the American Diabetes Association, among others. The Richland Lions Club is celebrating Lions Club International’s 100th anniversary with a jubilee this Sunday from 4-8 p.m. at Richland Central Park. Vandee explains the event’s purpose, “I would say it is to get the community together having fun, and showing the community what the Lions do. We need more members, and it’s just a way of explaining what we do. We’re going to be having a big display and that’s the main thing is just to show what the Lions do in the community and to have fun doing it.”

The jubilee will feature vendors, live music, games for children, and a pie auction. Proceeds from the food sales and the pie auction will go towards the club’s local and international causes.