Spring Road Cleanup
April 25, 2026 Spring Road Cleanup, Sunset Hills Road in Reston 8 AM-10 AM
Community Health Fair
April 18 Community Health Fair event, details TBA
Herndon Easter Egg Hunt
April 4 annual Herndon Easter Egg Hunt 9-12at the park next to the Herndon Community Center
White Cane Event at the North Point Giant
March 29 White Cane Event at the North Point Giant 11-3 1450 North Village Center. This is a fundraiser
Lions Listen Up
March 21 Community Event to learn about the Lions Listen Up preschool hearing screening being launched in the state of VA by the Lions. Details TBA
Bland Music Competition
Bland Music Competition
Bland Music competition a local event that the club has hosted for decades where instrumental and voice students between the ages of 6-18 compete for music scholarship. The Reston Lions club event is traditionally held on the second Tuesday of February every year. Applications begin circulating in the music community in November.
Winners of the club event then compete at a District level event. The top 12 students statewide compete at the annual Lions state convention held in late April or May.
Location Reston Community Center, Center Stage 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston 6-10 PM
February 10, 2026 is the date of this year’s event.
District event is March 29 at the Lycmee in Alexandria, VA
All of these events are open to the public
VisonWalk Kickoff
Vision Walk
For more information about the DC Metro VisionWalk, including sponsorships and registration, contact
Kristi Wass, Event Director, at
Phone: 410-423-0645
email: KWass@FightingBlindness.org.
Schedule:
10AM Registration
11AM Stage Presentation
11:20AM Walk Start
Joining the Pride: How to Become a Member of the Lions Club
Join the Reston Lions Club in Reston, VA
When it comes to community service, few organizations boast the reach and impact of Lions Clubs International. Known globally for their commitment to sight conservation, the Lions Club also engages in diverse activities that benefit the young, the elderly, and the vulnerable. If you’re considering joining this prestigious service club, this comprehensive guide will walk you through why and how to become a member of the Lions Club, detailing the enriching experiences that await you.
Understanding Lions Clubs International
Lions Clubs International was founded in 1917 by Chicago business leader Melvin Jones and has since grown into one of the world’s largest service club organizations. With over 1.4 million members across more than 200 countries, Lions Clubs are dedicated to solving major, globally-shared problems, including blindness and diabetes prevention. Each club tailors its activities to meet the needs of the local community, so no two clubs are exactly alike (Source: Lions Clubs International, Lions Clubs International.
The Mission and Work of the Lions Club
Before deciding to join, it’s important to understand the mission that drives Lions Clubs International: “To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace, and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.” The main areas of focus include:
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Vision: Lions are perhaps best known for their efforts to combat blindness by conducting vision screenings, equipping hospitals and clinics, distributing medicine, and raising awareness of eye disease.
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Environment: Lions participate in a range of projects designed to improve the environment in their communities, from recycling programs to tree planting projects.
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Youth: Through programs like Lions Quest and the Peace Poster Contest, Lions work to support youth in their development and provide opportunities for expressing creativity and fostering peace.
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Disaster Relief: Lions are often some of the first on the scene in natural disasters, providing immediate relief and rebuilding efforts.
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Humanitarian Causes: From fighting diabetes to feeding the hungry, Lions tackle many of the world’s greatest challenges.
The Benefits of Joining the Lions Club
Joining the Lions Club offers numerous benefits, not only to the communities served but also to the members themselves:
- Community Service: Membership provides numerous opportunities to give back to the community in meaningful ways.
- Personal Growth: Members develop skills in leadership, public speaking, and organizational management.
- Networking: Lions meet new people in their local community and can connect with an international network of service-minded individuals.
- Friendship and Fun: Despite the hard work, members enjoy social gatherings, conventions, and forums.
How to Become a Member
Joining the Lions Club involves a few straightforward steps:
Step 1: Find a Local Club
Begin by locating a club near you. You can use the club locator tool available on the Lions Clubs International website (Find a Club). This tool will help you find clubs based on geographic proximity, allowing you to choose one that best fits your location and lifestyle.
Step 2: Reach Out and Attend Meetings
Once you’ve identified a club, reach out to them. Details for contact are typically listed on the club’s page within the locator tool. Many clubs encourage potential members to attend a meeting or two to understand the club’s current projects and dynamics. This is also a great opportunity to meet current members and ask questions.
Step 3: Express Your Interest in Joining
If you decide that the club is a good fit for you, express your interest in becoming a member. Membership in a Lions Club is by invitation, but most clubs are eager to welcome new members who are enthusiastic about community service. You may be asked to meet with a membership coordinator or other club officers to discuss your interest and how you can contribute to the club’s efforts.
Step 4: Complete the Membership Application
You will need to complete a membership application. This form gathers your basic information and is used by the club to register you with Lions Clubs International. There may be a nominal entrance fee, which varies by club.
Step 5: Attend the Induction Ceremony
After your application is approved, you will be formally inducted as a member during a ceremony. This ceremony is designed to welcome new members and to signify the beginning of a member’s journey in service and community involvement.
After Joining: What to Expect
As a new member, you’ll be introduced to all the club’s current projects and activities. Most clubs have orientation sessions for new members. These sessions provide insights into the club’s operations, your responsibilities as a member, and the traditions of the club.
You’ll be encouraged to participate in projects that interest you and to take part in the decision-making process of the club through regular meetings. As you grow in the club, leadership opportunities will become available, along with chances to attend district, national, and international meetings and conventions.
Conclusion
Joining the Lions Club is more than just a means to volunteer; it’s an opportunity to be part of a global network committed to making the world a better place. It allows you to grow personally and professionally while making meaningful connections. If you’re driven by service and community, the Lions Club is a perfect channel through which to extend your impact. Your journey with the Lions will be one of profound personal and communal growth, rooted in the joy and satisfaction that comes from serving others.
For those interested in learning more about the specific impact of Lions Clubs, or to find your local chapter and start the process of becoming a member, visit Lions Clubs International. Here, you can also explore the extensive range of resources that detail the organization’s global initiatives and local impact. Join today, and become part of a proud tradition of service and community enhancement.
The Power of Volunteering: Personal Growth Stories from Lions Club Members
Volunteering in Reston
Volunteering is often seen as a noble endeavor—offering your time and skills to help others. However, those who volunteer know it’s not just about giving; it’s also about receiving. This reciprocal relationship between service and personal growth is vividly seen in the experiences of Lions Club members around the world. In this blog post, we explore the transformative power of volunteering, featuring personal growth stories from various Lions Club members who have found that in helping others, they have profoundly changed themselves.
The Beginnings of Service
Lions Clubs International, founded in 1917, has long been a beacon for community service with a strong emphasis on vision health, youth outreach, environmental issues, and more. With over 1.4 million members globally, the organization offers countless opportunities for personal development through service projects (Source: Lions Clubs International, Lions Clubs International).
Growth Through Giving: Members’ Stories
John’s Journey: Learning Leadership
John, a member of the Denver Lions Club, joined the organization five years ago. At first, he saw it as a means to network professionally and contribute to his community in a structured way. However, his involvement soon deepened. He found himself managing a project aimed at providing free eye screenings for children in underprivileged neighborhoods.
Through this role, John developed leadership skills he hadn’t exercised in his professional life. Organizing teams, planning events, and managing logistics were just the start. He also learned to navigate the complexities of working with diverse groups and resolving conflicts. This experience not only made him a more effective volunteer but also a better leader at work.
Maria’s Mission: Enhancing Empathy
Maria, from the Manila Lions Club in the Philippines, has a touching story about how volunteering expanded her capacity for empathy. She participated in a Lions project that helped rebuild homes destroyed by a typhoon. Working closely with affected families, she witnessed resilience and hardship firsthand, which significantly altered her perspective on life.
These experiences taught Maria the true impact of empathy in leadership and service. She learned that to truly help someone, you must try to understand things from their perspective, a lesson she now applies in both her personal and professional life.
David’s Dedication: Discovering Purpose
David, a retiree in Reston, Virginia, joined the local Lions Club as a way to fill his days and give back to a community that had given him so much over the years. Through his volunteer work, particularly with the Lions Quest program—a school-based program that teaches life skills to children—David found a renewed sense of purpose.
The joy and satisfaction he gained from helping young people discover their strengths and navigate challenges were transformative. It wasn’t just about passing the time; it was about making a difference in the lives of others, which in turn, brought new meaning to his own life.
Samantha’s Story: Building Confidence
Samantha was always a shy individual, hesitant to speak up in groups or take the lead on projects. Her journey with the Lions Club in Sydney, Australia, however, put her in situations that challenged these limitations. She spearheaded an environmental project, organizing clean-up drives along the coastline.
Through this initiative, Samantha found her voice. Leading volunteers, engaging with community leaders, and advocating for environmental protection helped her develop confidence. Her ability to stand up and speak out grew, fundamentally changing her self-perception and her interactions with others.
The Broader Impact of Volunteering
These stories are just a few examples of how volunteering with the Lions Club can foster personal growth. The benefits extend beyond developing new skills; they also include improved mental and emotional health. Studies have shown that volunteering can decrease the risk of depression, increase life satisfaction, and provide a sense of belonging and purpose (Source: “The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research”, Corporation for National and Community Service, Volunteering and Health Benefits).
How to Get Involved
For those inspired to experience their own personal growth through service, getting involved with the Lions Club is straightforward. You can find a local club through the Lions Clubs International website, where opportunities abound for anyone eager to make a difference and grow personally. Each local chapter offers various projects, allowing members to choose causes they are passionate about.
Conclusion
The stories of John, Maria, David, and Samantha illustrate that volunteering, especially with an organization like Lions Clubs International, offers more than a chance to serve—it is a pathway to personal transformation. These volunteers have not only enriched their communities but have also experienced profound personal growth, gaining leadership skills, empathy, purpose, and confidence.
As these stories show, when you choose to serve, you embark on one of life’s most enriching journeys. Whether you’re looking to develop new skills, find purpose, or simply connect with your community on a deeper level, volunteering provides a unique avenue for achieving these goals. By joining the Lions Club, you can start your own story of personal growth while making a tangible difference in the world around you.