Medford Lions - About Us

The Medford Crater Lions are one of the many Lions Clubs in the Rogue Valley. The Lions are the largest international service organization in the world much like the Rotary & Soroptimist.

In 1917 Lions International was started in Chicago by a man named Melvin Jones; the organization quickly expanded. In 1920 the Lions were challenged by Helen Keller, a famous activist who was also both blind and deaf. She challenged the Lions to eliminate preventable blindness. The Lions accepted the challenge, the prevention and treatment of site and hearing problems have been the Lions primary initiative ever since.

In 1928 the Medford Host Lions were the first Lions club to be established in the Rogue Valley. The Medford Crater Lions were established in 1950 by a group of rowdy Lions that wanted to see things done differently; they called themselves the Rebels. The Rebels were renowned for holding unusual but highly visible fund raiser and service activities.

Today the current Crater Lions are carrying on the rebel tradition of doing things differently. The club is a young group that meets in the evening after business hours. The members utilize technology and internet heavily. The club’s community focus is on environment and children’s’ issues.

The Medford Crater Lions recently chartered a Lion’s Cub (children’s) Club and are working on several projects with them, including a Bear Creek Greenway clean up, and an oral history project with senior citizens. Our primary club fundraiser has been to offer the service of erecting flags on patriotic holidays outside of places of business and providing the flags for the Jackson County Fair. This year, with the help of the Eagle Point Lions we raised nearly $2000 by selling elephant ears at Pear Blossom.

The club regularly donates to the Southern Oregon Sight and Hearing Center, Rogue Valley Guide Dogs, Gales Creek Camp (for diabetic children), and other sight and hearing related programs.The Lions are always looking for new members, so feel free to contact us for information. Everyone is invited!