On December 17, 1920, the Atlanta Lions Club was organized as the first Lions Club in the Southeast. Thomas W. Hardwick, then Governor of Georgia, spoke during the Charter Night Program and Melvin Jones, Founder of Lions International, also attended.

Soon, several other Lions Clubs were organized across the state. Lion H. E. Allen of Americus was designated “Acting Governor of the Georgia Division” and was instrumental in promoting Lionism throughout Georgia.

The first State Convention in Georgia was held in Macon on October 12, 1922. Clubs from Alabama and Florida, which were then in the same district, also sent representatives. In 1924, because of the rapid growth in the number of Lions Clubs, Georgia was named a District by its self and became designated District 18 of Lions International.

Fifteen clubs began this new District 18: Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Bainbridge, Camilla, Columbus, Donaldsonville, Dublin, Macon, Meigs, Savannah, Thomasville, Valdosta and Waycross. The first convention of District 18 was held in May 1925, in Augusta, with fifty delegates from nine of the fifteen clubs. Lion George H. Conklin of Augusta was elected the first District Governor.

Since this modest beginning, Lionisn in Georgia has grown steadily and substantially. Today there are 280 clubs with over 8,000 members. The state is now known as Multiple district 18 of Lions International with six districts: 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D, 18E and 18F, each with its own District Governor, Vice District Governor and Cabinet Secretary-Treasurer.

Some of the many highlights of Georgia Lions service projects -
In 1930, the Lions of Georgia presented a petition to the State Legislature to create a State Commission for the Blind to survey the number and condition of blind people in the state. This was the first organized and systematic effort to help the blind of Georgia and the resulting survey and information have been the basis of work for the blind since then.

In 1935, the Decatur Lions Club sponsored and equipped the first School Safety Patrol in Georgia.

In 1946, the Georgia Lions appeared before the State Legislature calling attention to the low pay of school teachers and presented a petition signed by over 5,000 Lions asking for an increase in teacher salaries. As a consequence of this initial move along with work by the Georgia Education Association, the matter received enough public attention that a 50% pay raise for teachers was achieved.

In 1948, the Georgia Lions sponsored the Georgia Lions Lighthouse Foundation, Inc. for sight conservation work. This organization has operated continuously since and is now responsible for providing financial assistance with medical expenses associated with essential eye surgeries to correct more serious vision problems such as cataracts and glaucoma.

In 1952, the Patterson Lions Club resolved to attract a physician to their town of 660, which had been without a doctor for several years. They located and renovated a building, raised funds for six months free rent and secured the services of two part-time physicians.

In 1959, the Cross Keys Lions Club began to promote the football games of its high school athletic program. The sixteen members sold season and individual game tickets, operated the concession stand, sold ads for the printed programs, collected tickets and ushered at the games. $5,000 was raised and given back to the school.

In the early 1970's the Calvary Lions Club started "MULE DAY" to honor the contribution mules made to this Southwest Georgia Community's economy. This one day festival has grown to attract over 300 vendors and an estimated 100,000 people annually, making it one of the largest festivals in the nation.

The Atlanta Lions club, along with Lions clubs from all over Georgia, organized and developed the first Peach Bowl college football game in 1969. Lion George Crumbley, Past International Director, was instrumental in the cultivation and success of this popular annual football classic.

Since 1950, the Towns County Lions Club has sponsored the annual Georgia Mountain Fair in Hiawassee, Georgia. This fair is one of the largest Lions projects in the world and has provided economic growth and tourism promotion in an isolated area of southern Appalachia.

These highlights of the continuous worthwhile service work of Georgia Lions would not be possible without dedicated leadership. It would not be possible to name all the deserving District Governors, State Officers, Club Presidents, Committee Chairmen and others who have given outstanding guidance.

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Ralph Grady - President
Towns County Lions Club