The Lions: Who We Are...
Lions are more than 1.4 million strong... men and women... young and old. You will find us in more than 180 countries and geographical areas from the hinterlands of Australia to the thriving urban centers like New York City and Milan. We speak dozens of languages and vary in nature and customs.
We share a common spirit. Since our beginning in 1917, we have been united in a single cause: helping those less fortunate. We are tackling the tough problems like blindness and drug abuse as well as diabetes awareness -- and finding help and training for the deaf, disabled, underprivileged, and the elderly. In fact, whatever the community needs to make life better, we're here to help.
We are the youngest major social service organization, yet we have grown to be the world's largest. We are succeeding because we have embraced all those committed to building a brighter future for the world and for themselves.
And, with a new generation of enlightened members, Lions clubs are working smarter and faster with greater commitment than ever before.
We are the Lions... and we serve.
What we do...
Bringing rays of light to thousands.
For more than 70 years Lions have been recognized throughout the world for their service to the blind and visually impaired. Back in 1925, when Helen Keller challenged the Lions to become "Knights of the Blind," she could not have possibly imagined the impact of Lions commitment to blindness prevention.
Bringing rays of light to the darkness of countless people around the world, Lions have established the majority of eye banks worldwide, funded ground-breaking research on leading causes of blindness, organized eyeglass recycling efforts and helped hundreds of thousands of visually impaired people develop the skills to live productive lives.
Reaffirming Fellowship Through Membership
Through membership in a lions club, people not only help those in need, but have opportunities to develop personal friendships and gain valuable leadership skills. Membership is by invitation. Clubs meet at least twice a month and elect officers annually. The association is governed by an international board of directors each year more than 20,000 Lions attend their international convention to discuss new ideas, share experiences and reaffirm friendship and fellowship.
Sacramento Maharlika Lions Club, was chartered in July 1993 with 22 members within District 4C5 of 57 Lions Club. PDG Bert Melliza served as our Charter President and within our 4 yearsas a club, we were recognized as the top club in our district, which is unusual for a new club. In our 3rd year our club grew to 100 members and was recognized by our district for many awards. In our 4th year, PDG Bert Melliza became the first Filipino district governor of district 4C5. Today our current Governor Sarah Enloe is a Maharlika Lions member and we also have a PDG & Past Council Chair of our Multiple District 4 , Derek Ledda.
We continue to grow in Lionism with involvement in youth exchange, students speakers contest, My Sister's House in support of abused women, feeding the hungry, JDRF diabetes project, Norther California Lions Sight Association, assisting farm workers in the valley and our involvement with the medical mission in the Philippines since 1997 in Bohol, San Fernando La Union, San Fernando, Pampanga, Aklan, Bagiuo, Davao, Cebu and many more local projects.
Meet your President-Lion Mark Bamba
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Facts about Maharlika Lions
Past District Governor
PDG Bert Melliza
PDG Sarah Enloe
~Chartered in June 1993 with 24 Members
~Charter President PDG Bert Melliza
~Top Club of District 4 C-5
1994-1995
1995-1996
1996-1997
1998-1999
2009-2010
~Home Club of 3 District 4 C-5 Governors
PDG Lion Bert Melliza 1996-1997
PCC Lion Derek Ledda 2012-2013
PDG Sarah Enloe 2019-2020
~6 International Humanitarian Awards
1997-1198
1999-2000
2000-2001
2002-2003
2005-2006
2009-2010
~Club Twinning
Davao Mt. Apo Lions Club
Tagbilaran Host Lions
San Fernando LU Lions Club
Baguio City Host Lions Club
Boracay Malay Amity Lions Club
~International Academy Award for Lionism
2002-2003 Maharlika Lions Club
30 or more members and Partners in Service are recipients of Melvin Jones Fellow Awards
Actively involved in District and MD 4 Youth Exchange Program and the NCLSA
Recipients of numerous District Awards individually and as a Club
Gordon Daniels Founder’s Award
Fred Summer Fellow
Paul Shimada Award
Kay K. Fukushima Award
Harry Aslan Fellow
Signature Projects
Loaves and Fishes
Habitat For Humanity
My Sister’s House
Sacramento Tree Foundation Planting
Sacramento Zoo Lake Beautification Project
Join the Sacramento Maharlika Lions Club
Lions do many good things within our community and we would like to have your help and participation. If you want to know more about how to become a Lion, or explore ways to participate in our community, please send an email to our Membership Chair dlaguardia@yahoo.com or by calling . You can also download the application form by clicking on the following link.=======
Step One: Visit Us.
Attend one of our Club meetings or events. A special invitation is not necessary, but if you let us know you are coming, we can plan to have someone greet you and introduce you to our members. For your first regular Club meeting, we will treat you to dinner as our guest. We meet every 2nd Tuesday, 6:30 pm at .
Step Two: Find a Sponsor.
The role of your sponsor is to be your mentor and friend, and to teach you about the organization and to become actively involved. You may ask a member you know to sponsor you, or contact our Membership Director, to help you with sponsorship and to make the arrangements.
Step Three: Apply for Membership
Complete an application form, which will be provided by your sponsor or the Membership Director. The form should be submitted to the Membership Director, along with your dues payment.
Step Four: Pay Dues.
Annual dues are currently $100 per year, and $178.50 per family which runs from July 1 through June 30. Plus a one time initiation fee of $35 to Lions International. For your first year, dues will be prorated (except Lions International Fee of $35) from the month your membership begins.
Step Four: Approval of Membership
The Membership Director will present your application to the Board of Directors at the next monthly meeting, where it must be accepted and approved. This is a formality, and unless there are unusual circumstances, our standard practice is that approval is given at the same time.
Step Five: Induction
Your induction into the Club will be scheduled at the next general Club meeting following your approval. Your sponsor will stand up with you, as you are sworn in as a new Lion member.
Step Six: Get to Work!
Once you become a member of the world's largest service organization, you will have opportunities to participate in many rewarding community service projects.
For more information, please contact our Membership Chair @ dlaguardia@yahoo.com
Who are the Club members?
We are made up of dedicated people, just like you! We do great work, we make lifelong friends, and we have a lot of fun along the way. Members have a desire to be involved in community service in Sacramento. You probably already know many of our members as your friends and neighbors.
Doesn’t this take a lot of time?
Not really. The amount of time you put into the Lions Club is up to you. No one person is expected to do it all. The Club meets once a month, on the second Tuesdays of each month. Generally, one meeting is scheduled at dinner time. Meetings of working committees are held as required. Time spent at meetings and on service projects should be based upon what makes you feel comfortable while balancing your work and family priorities.
How can I help?
As a Lion, you can help provide your neighbors, and the world, with eyeglasses, hearing aids, eye surgeries, kids summer camps, reading help, student scholarships, vocational and life skills training, disaster relief, drug and alcohol abuse prevention programs, and financial and human assistance for many, many, other needed local and global services.
What is the next step?
To find out more about the club, just ask a Sacramento Maharlika Lions or take a look at our "Join Us" page. Either way you will be invited to be our guest at one of our meetings to meet us and learn more about the club.
Where does this money go?
Every dime collected by Lions fundraisers goes directly to community services. Administrative expenses are paid by our members, through their dues payments.
For more about Lions Clubs, go to www.lionsclubs.org