Thirty-seven neighbours strong, and proud to stand among 1.4 million Lions around the world. Small enough to know everyone by name, big enough to make a real difference.
Serving the Yaletown community through leadership, service, and impact since 2007.
Strong communities are created when people come together to give back.
In 2023, under then-President Leland Guttridge, we began supporting the Urban Native Youth Association to make a real impact for Indigenous youth and communities where help is needed most. UNYA’s programs span education, health, housing, culture and sport for Indigenous young people across Vancouver.
Our commitment goes beyond donations. We take part in UNYA’s Bentwood Box Charity Auction, where Indigenous artists create one-of-a-kind bentwood boxes to support the Indigenous Youth Centre of Excellence and the Overly Creative Minds program. We’re proud to stand with UNYA and plan to grow this partnership for years to come.
Our longest-standing partner and the largest commitment in club history. We’ve supported Yaletown House every year since 2008. Over the years, funds have gone toward a new transport bus, a specialized wash tub, courtyard garden upgrades, interior improvements, a $35,000 CCTV replacement project and a $40,000 gift toward their Duet Bike Replacement Program and Therapeutic Services.
Every upgrade makes daily life better for the seniors who call Yaletown House home.
We’ve backed Yaletown’s youngest learners since the club’s founding. Our annual giving funds the school’s music program, classroom supplies, technology upgrades and iPads that students use as everyday learning tools. Just as important, it shows local kids what giving back to your own neighbourhood looks like.
Every year we award our Making a Difference Leadership Scholarships to three graduating Grade 12 students who have shown outstanding volunteer work and community leadership. Students submit applications and essays, and a Lions committee selects the recipients. It’s our way of investing in the next generation of community builders.
Lions Clubs International was founded on June 7, 1917, by Melvin Jones, a Chicago business leader who believed that local business clubs should look beyond professional interests and work to improve their communities. What started as a small gathering in Chicago has grown into the world’s largest service club organization, with over 1.4 million members across more than 46,000 clubs in over 200 countries and geographic areas.
The organization went international in 1920 when the first club outside the United States was established in Windsor, Ontario, Canada — making Canada a foundational part of the Lions story. Today, Lions Clubs International is headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, USA.
“To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace, and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.”
“To be the global leader in community and humanitarian service.”
“We Serve.”
From our annual Gala to club news, this is where it all happens. Our galas have raised over $1.24 million for local causes, with 100% of proceeds going straight to charity.
We help wherever we can, but we can't say yes to everything. Our giving focuses on causes close to the Yaletown community. If that sounds like your organization, reach out and we'll bring your request to the club for review.
