Parade marks 100th anniversary of Lions International
Posted July 01, 2017 7:00 am
CHICAGO (AP) - About 30,000 volunteers from 110 countries are meeting in Chicago to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Lions Clubs International.
The weekend celebration kicked off Saturday with a parade that included volunteers in native dress, floats and marching bands.
Lions International was founded in Chicago in 1917. The organization has roughly 1.4 million members in more than 47,000 clubs worldwide.
The clubs help people who are blind and visually impaired. They also participate in service projects and promote youth activities.
This weekend, volunteers will also be assembling toiletry kits for vulnerable Chicago residents and packing meals for Chicago Public Schools students and for people in developing countries.
Deranz Brown, chaplain of Lions Club District 1A, wears a necklace in recognition of Lions International's 100th anniversary at the Lions International street parade in Chicago on July 1, 2017. (Max Herman/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
The Associated Press
Members of the Nepal Lions Club District 325 pose for photos before the Lions International street parade in Chicago celebrating the organization's 100th anniversary on July 1, 2017. (Max Herman/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
The Associated Press
Members of Taiwan's Lions Club participate in the Lions International street parade in Chicago celebrating the organization's 100th anniversary on July 1, 2017. (Max Herman/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
The Associated Press
Members of the Nepal Lions Club march in the Lions International street parade in Chicago celebrating the organization's 100th anniversary on July 1, 2017. (Max Herman/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
The Associated Press
Donna Sorensen of the Waunakee, Wisconsin Lions Club trades pins with members of Taiwan's Lions Club during the Lions International street parade in Chicago celebrating the organization's 100th anniversary on July 1, 2017. (Max Herman/Chicago Sun-Times via AP)
The Associated Press
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