Welcome

Since its founding in 1952, The Ed Smith Mineola Lions Club has contributed thousands of dollars to charities that benefit the blind, those who may be susceptible to becoming blind, and their care takers. The Guide Dog Foundation, Lions Long Island Eye Bank, Long Island Bombers (blind softball team), and KIDS Diabetes Program at Winthrop-University Hospital are just a few of the charities who rely on gifts provided by The Ed Smith Mineola Lions Club and its volunteers.

All the net proceeds from our annual fundraising events are donated to charities for the blind. Please participate and support these most worthy organizations. Your donations will allow us to continue our mission of helping those in need.

Lions International/History

Local "Lions Clubs" were formed as early as 1916 in places like Evansville, Indiana and Dallas, Texas. In 1917, Melvin Jones, a Chicago insurance agent, convinced his local business club to expand their professional ambitions and join other local clubs with the common goal of improving their communities and bettering the world at large. He proposed a national organization, and this proposal became a reality in October 1917. With the formation of a club in Windsor, Ontario, Canada in 1920, the Lions Club became an international organization.

Today, The International Association of Lions Clubs is the world's largest community service organization, boasting 1.4 million members in 197 countries, all of whom are dedicated to seeking out and helping not only the visually impaired, but also all of those in need throughout the globe. In addition to assisting the blind, local Lions Clubs finance vocational training for the underprivileged and disabled, sponsor youth drug awareness and educational programs, and provide hands-on service such as cleaning up area parks.