About Us

1919 –  District 10 (Upper Peninsula) is the first Lions district formed in the state of Michigan, with the organization of the Marquette Lions Club in October.  District 11 (Lower Peninsula) is formed when the Grand Rapids Lions Club charters in November.

1920 – Detroit Lions Club sponsors the Windsor, Ontario Lions Club; this sponsorship creates Lions Clubs International.

1921 – Jackson Host Lions Club is chartered in May.

1923 – Grand Rapids Lion John Noel becomes the first Lions Clubs International President from Michigan.

1925 – Helen Keller challenges Lions to become “Knights of the Blind.”

1932 – White Cane is “born” in Michigan in the East Side Detroit Lions Club.

1936 – Michigan Legislature passes the “White Cane Law.”

1939 – Leader Dog School is launched in Rochester.

1940 – Leader Dog becomes a state project of Michigan Lions.

1940 – Jackson Host Lion Karl Sorrick becomes the second Lions International President from Michigan.

1941 – The Lower Peninsula is divided into two (2) sub-districts and becomes Multiple District 11.

1946 – Multiple District 11 is divided into four (4) sub-districts.

1952 – Multiple District 11 is divided into five (5) sub-districts.

1952 – Welcome Home for the Blind becomes a state project of the Lions of Michigan.

1953 – Bloomfield Lion S. A. Dodge is elected as the third Lions International President from Michigan.

1956 – Multiple District 11 is divided into seven (7) sub-districts.

1957 – The Ann Arbor Lions Club and Dr. John Henderson start the Michigan Eye Bank.

1971 – Michigan Eye Bank becomes a state project of the Lions of Michigan.

1974 – The Upper Peninsula  is divided into two sub-districts and becomes Multiple District 10.  The districts are 10-A (West) and District 10-B (East).

1976 – Michigan Multiple District 11 is divided into ten (10) sub-districts.

1978 – St. Johns Lion Ralph Lynam is elected as the fourth International President from Michigan.

1978 – The Lions of Michigan All-State Band is established.

1982 – The Michigan Past District Governors Association is organized.

1984 – The Lions of Michigan Service Foundation, Inc. (Lions of Michigan Foundation) is incorporated to partner with Michigan Lions Clubs and other organizations and charities to help improve the quality of life in Michigan.

2001 – Multiple District 10 combines District 10-A and 10-B into Single District 10.

2003 – Bear Lake Camp becomes an official project of Multiple District 11.

2008 – The Lions of Michigan Service Foundation (Lions of Michigan Foundation) becomes a state project of the Lions of Michigan.