Every confident step I take with my Leader Dog is a reminder of the Lions’ gift—a gift that brought independence, courage, and hope back into my life.
Lions and Leader Dog
Partners in Independence
Together since 1939, Lions Clubs continue to fuel the Leader Dog mission through service, generosity and unwavering community support. This page provides Lions Clubs with essential resources, including key facts and statistics about Leader Dog’s programs, recognition opportunities like the Leader Dog Medallion and Top Dog Club status, and educational materials to help clubs engage with and support the organization’s life-changing work.
About Lions Club and Leader Dog
In every Leader Dog lies the heart of a Lion.
Lions Clubs International, the world’s largest service organization, has been a dedicated partner to Leader Dogs for the Blind since the very beginning. Founded by Lions in 1939, Leader Dog continues to thrive thanks to the unwavering support of Lions around the world.
Today, more than 3,500 Lions Clubs contribute to our mission through financial support, community outreach, and hands-on volunteerism. Lions help identify individuals who may benefit from our services, raise awareness in their hometowns and districts, and serve as Leader Dog Chairs, puppy raisers, breeding dog hosts and on-campus volunteers.
We are deeply grateful for the generosity, leadership, and legacy of Lions. Your service helps us make everyone unstoppable.
Lions In Action
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Lions of Minnesota
“Lion Mary Bolas, a dedicated Leader Dog Chair in Minnesota and long-time puppy raiser, continues to champion awareness for Leader Dogs for the Blind. Here she is pictured with Future Leader Dog Hawkeye at the Olivia Fly-In—an annual community event proudly hosted by the Olivia Lions of Minnesota.”
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Algonac Lions
Members of the Algonac Lions Club pose with FLD Tio at Outdoorama. Each year the Algonac Lions raise funds for Leader Dog by traveling to different outdoor shows and events throughout the year selling raffle tickets to win a golf cart.
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Lions District 40 of New Mexico
Lion Christie Boyer, Leader Dog Chair of District 40, facilitates an orientation activity at a District Cabinet meeting. Participants experience first-hand the importance of orientation and how quickly those with low vision can become disoriented without support like Leader Dog’s Orientation & Mobility program. “It was fast, furious, and fun.”
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Atlanta Caribbean Lions Club
This September the Atlanta Caribbean Lions Club hosted the first Dinner in the Dark fundraiser for District 18-I Lions Clubs to raise funds for Leader Dog, supporting people who are blind or low vision. The dinner hosted 50 guests who experienced dining under blindfold with keynote speaker Leader Dog Client Tim Cuineo.
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Request a Speaker
Invite a Leader Dog representative to speak at your club or district event and share our mission in action.
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Request Promotional Items
Order branded materials to help promote Leader Dog at your next club meeting, fundraiser, or event.
Our History
Knights of the Blind
In June 1925, Helen Keller ascended the stage at the Lions Clubs International Convention, described a mission to “make the lives of the blind more worthwhile everywhere,” and shared her experiences. She challenged Lions to become “Knights of the Blind in the crusade against darkness” which lit a fire in the hearts and minds of Lions everywhere.
In 1939, Lions founded Leader Dogs for the Blind, led by Past International President S.A. Dodge, Past District Governer Charles A. Nutting, and Past District Governor Donald P. Schurr. Their motivation was Dr. Glenn Wheeler, a fellow Lion whose attempts to be accepted by another guide dog organization proved unsuccessful. Lions remain dedicated ambassadors and generous supporters of our mission. These milestones are powerful motivations to uphold the legacy of the visionaries who started it all.
Together, Lions clubs and Leader Dogs for the Blind continue to improve the quality of life for people who are blind and low vision, empowering them with the skills to live independently and travel safely.
Top Dog Clubs: Our Most Generous Lions Clubs
Fiscal Year 2024–2025
Leader Dog was founded by Lions just 15 years after Helen Keller challenged them to be “knights of the blind in the crusade against darkness.” Top Dog Clubs continue the Lions legacy and pave the way to independence for people who are blind or visually impaired. When a Lions Club gives $5,000 USD or more in a single fiscal year, they earn coveted “Top Dog” status — a prestigious honor achieved by less than 5% of clubs who support us each year.
To show our deep appreciation, every Top Dog Club receives a formal thank-you letter, a banner patch, a pin for each member, a mini certificate, a digital badge for their club’s website, a plush Leader Dog puppy, and a highlight on the Leader Dogs for the Blind Facebook page.
If your club is interested in becoming a Top Dog Club, please reach out to the Lions Team at LionsSupport@LeaderDog.org.
| Name | State / Province | District | Total Giving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Oak Lions Club | Michigan | 11-A-2 | $79,903.55 |
| Arcola Lions Club | Virginia | 24-L | $50,000.00 |
| Highland Village Lions Club | Texas | 2-E-2 | $39,235.07 |
| Rochester Lions Club | Michigan | 11-A-2 | $30,750.00 |
| Lakeland Lions Club | Tennessee | 12-L | $24,385.00 |
| Key Largo Lions Club | Florida | 35-N | $20,000.00 |
| Rochester Hills Lions Club | Michigan | 11-A-2 | $19,501.75 |
| Lexington Lions Club | Kentucky | 43-Y | $18,050.00 |
| Wilmington Manor Lions Club | Delaware | 22-D | $17,500.00 |
| Stephenson Lions Club | Michigan | 10 | $17,265.76 |
| Shelby Township Lions Club | Michigan | 11-A-2 | $15,383.50 |
| Romeo Lions Club | Michigan | 11-A-2 | $14,408.25 |
| Birmingham Lions Club | Michigan | 11-A-2 | $13,466.00 |
| Prescott Sunrise Lions Club | Arizona | 21-N | $11,950.00 |
| Raleigh Host Lions Club | North Carolina | 31-S | $11,000.00 |
| Broadway Lions Club | Virginia | 24-L | $10,692.34 |
| Algonac Lions Club | Michigan | 11-D-2 | $10,625.00 |
| Cedarville Lions Club | Illinois | 1-D | $10,600.86 |
| Windsor Downtown Lions Club | Ontario | A-1 | $10,518.39 |
| Bloomington Lions Club | Minnesota | 5M-5 | $10,500.00 |
| Cullman Lions Club | Alabama | 34-A | $10,080.00 |
| Oak Creek Lions Club | Wisconsin | 27-A-1 | $10,025.87 |
| Apex Lions Club | North Carolina | 31-S | $10,000.00 |
| Bartlett Lions Club | Illinois | 1-J | $10,000.00 |
| Horace Lions Club | North Dakota | 5-NE | $10,000.00 |
| Plymouth Lions Club | Minnesota | 5M-5 | $10,000.00 |
| Troy Community Lions Club | Michigan | 11-A-2 | $9,018.36 |
| Clawson Lions Club | Michigan | 11-A-2 | $8,600.00 |
| Scottsboro Lions CLub | Alabama | 34-A | $8,525.00 |
| Eynon Archbald Lions Club | Pennsylvania | 14-H | $8,515.15 |
| Fraser Lions Club | Michigan | 11-A-2 | $8,280.00 |
| Armada Lions Club | Michigan | 11-A-2 | $8,140.00 |
| Elburn Lions Club | Illinois | 1-J | $8,000.00 |
| Mechanicsburg Lions Club | Pennsylvania | 14-C | $7,750.00 |
| Colleyville Lions Club | Texas | 2-E-2 | $7,695.00 |
| Beverly Hills Lions Club | Michigan | 11-A-2 | $7,596.22 |
| New Freedom Lions Club | Pennsylvania | 14-C | $7,509.13 |
| Pocatello Southeast Idaho Scholarship Lions Club | Wyoming | 39-E | $7,294.90 |
| Lake Orion Lions Club | Michigan | 11-A-2 | $7,091.75 |
| West Chester Lions Club | Pennsylvania | 14-P | $7,000.00 |
| Flushing Lions Club | Michigan | 11-D-1 | $6,962.75 |
| Thiensville Mequon Lions Club | Wisconsin | 27-A-2 | $6,200.00 |
| Sterling Heights Lions Club | Michigan | 11-A-2 | $6,164.00 |
| Frankenmuth Lions Club | Michigan | 11-D-1 | $6,070.00 |
| Channahon Lions Club | Illinois | 1-BK | $6,000.00 |
| Mechanicsville Lions Club | Virginia | 24-I | $6,000.00 |
| Ramsey Lions Club | Minnesota | 5M-7 | $6,000.00 |
| Aurora Carillon Lions Club | Illinois | 1-J | $5,675.00 |
| Hickory Lions Club | Pennsylvania | 14-M | $5,600.00 |
| Barnesville Lions Club | Minnesota | 5M-11 | $5,598.00 |
| Wixom Walled Lake Lions Club | Michigan | 11-A-2 | $5,535.00 |
| Oregon Lions Club | Illinois | 1-D | $5,500.00 |
| Port Austin Lions Club | Michigan | 11-D-2 | $5,500.00 |
| El Paso Five Points Lions Club | Texas | 2-T-3 | $5,339.00 |
| Milford Huron Valley Lions Club | Michigan | 11-A-2 | $5,250.00 |
| Pearland Lions Club | Texas | 2-S-4 | $5,208.50 |
| Eastpointe Lions Club | Michigan | 11-A-2 | $5,102.10 |
| Sugar Land Lions Club | Texas | 2-S-4 | $5,063.00 |
| Francis Scott Key Lions Club | Maryland | 22-W | $5,012.47 |
| Bangor Lions Club | Wisconsin | 27-D-2 | $5,000.00 |
| Bellflower Lions Club | Illinois | 1-BK | $5,000.00 |
| Clear Lake Lions Club | Minnesota | 5M-7 | $5,000.00 |
| Dewey Beach Lions Club | Delaware | 22-D | $5,000.00 |
| Eustis Lions Club | Nebraska | 38-L | $5,000.00 |
| Galveston County Cigar Lions Club | Texas | 2-S-4 | $5,000.00 |
| McDonough Lions Club | Georgia | 18-L | $5,000.00 |
| Missoula Lions Club | Montana | 37 | $5,000.00 |
| Perry Hall-Kingsville Lions Club | Maryland | 22-A | $5,000.00 |
| Rochester Beaver Area Lions Club | Pennsylvania | 14-N | $5,000.00 |
| Rockton Lions Club | Illinois | 1-D | $5,000.00 |
| Washington Lions Club | Michigan | 11-A-2 | $5,000.00 |
323
clients served through all 4 of our programs in 2025
50
states that we've place dogs
39
countries that we've place dogs
1036
active client/guide dog teams throughout the US and other countries
Update Contact Information
Keep your club’s contact details current so we can stay connected with the right people.
Leader Dog Lions Team
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Lion Kelsey Martin-Gardner
Director of Philanthropy - Lions
Central U.S.
Kelsey.Gardner@LeaderDog.org -
Lion Jess VandenBoom
Manager of Philanthropy - Lions
Western U.S. & Canada
Jess.Vandenboom@LeaderDog.org -
Lion Claudia Gregory
Manager of Philanthropy - Lions
Eastern U.S.
Claudia.Gregory@LeaderDog.org
Engage With Leader Dog
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Giving Options
Explore the many ways your Lions Club can support Leader Dog and make a lasting impact
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85th Anniversary Pin
Celebrate our shared legacy with a commemorative pin honoring 85 years of partnership.
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Lion Leader Dog Medallion
This special recognition is a meaningful way to honor a Lion in your club or district for their outstanding service, not only celebrating dedicated leadership but also supporting our mission.
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Lions Exclusive Tour Experience
Each Leader Dog Experience for Lions runs from 1 to 4 p.m. EST and offers a tour of the canine center, a presentation from a client and a chance to participate in some activities while wearing a blindfold.
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Check District and Club Donations
Leader Dog Chairs can access reports to keep track of clubs/donations in their area on a monthly basis.