The Lions Club of St. Andrew Central

BRIEF HISTORY

Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization, comprising of over 1.3 million members in more than 45,000 clubs worldwide. Lionism was introduced to Jamaica in 1965 with the Charter of the first Lions Club in Kingston. Today, there are twenty-seven Lions Clubs, some of whom sponsor Leo Clubs (the youth arm of Lions) in Jamaica providing voluntary service.

The Lions Club of St. Andrew Central (SAC) was chartered on February 12, 1992 with the newly installed Charter President, Lion Carmen Chen, PMJF, receiving the Charger Document from the then District Governor Ronald Josephs, MJF on March 7, 1992.

The SAC Lions Club has gone from strength to strength since 1992, winning several prestigious awards each year. The Club has also produced outstanding leaders in the Lionistic movement, including Zone and Region Chairpersons, some of whom currently hold District positions. Lions have participated in almost all local, regional, district and international events including meetings and conventions.

The Club sponsors 1 Omega Leo Club Leo Club of St Andrew Central and 1 alpha Leo Clubs: The Gaynstead High School located in Kingston . The Leos have organised and executed projects addressing local action on the UN Sustainable Development Goals,, Leadership Development, Accessibility Standards for Persons with Disabilities, Environment and Climate Change, Quality Education, Establishing Aquaponic School Gardens, Planting of trees, Beach Cleanups, and Healthy Ageing Projects, helping the elderly, and even done presentations in Project writing to gain skills.

SAC Lions Club – Service Impact and Strategic Alignment

Lions Club of St Andrew Central (SAC) has actively advanced the mission of Lions International by serving in alignment with the 8 Global Causes: Hunger, Vision, Diabetes, Environment, Childhood Cancer, Humanitarian Relief, Youth, and Childhood Cancer. Our projects also reflect a commitment to global frameworks such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement on Climate Action, and the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction, with a special focus on high-impact projects addressing the needs of persons with disabilities, vulnerable groups, and communities at large.

HUNGER & HOMELESSNESS RELIEF– Ensuring Food Security and Reducing Inequalities

(SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities)

In response to the socio-economic challenges intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, SAC Lions prioritized hunger relief.

Care Packages: In collaboration with the Church of St. Margaret’s, the club supplies food staples and toiletries to 200+ individuals monthly, directly supporting food security and dignity.
Community Distribution: Donations extended to additional food distribution centers, broadening the reach to underserved populations.
Sustainable Agriculture: The Club established vegetable gardens at elder care homes, supporting both nutrition and mental well-being for the elderly. Crops include cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, pak choi, lettuce, onions, sorrel, and carrots. This complements Jamaica’s “Eat what you grow. Grow what you eat” initiative.
Backyard Gardening: Lions members lead by example, cultivating household gardens and sharing produce within the community.

These activities not only alleviate hunger but also foster resilient local food systems, aligned with the Paris Agreement’s call for sustainable land use and the Sendai Framework’s focus on building community resilience.

NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES, DIABETES & VISION – Promoting Health Equity

(SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities)

Through partnerships with Rotary Clubs, schools, churches, and the Jamaica Society for the Blind, SAC Lions has:

Provided vision screening for at-risk populations.
Delivered blood sugar and blood pressure testing in communities across Kingston and St. Andrew.

These interventions directly address the rising burdens of diabetes and vision impairment, both of which disproportionately impact vulnerable and low-income groups.

SUSTAINABILITY & ENVIRONMENT – Social Sustainability, Climate Action & Community Resilience

(SDG 13: Climate Action, SDG 15: Life on Land, Sendai Framework)

The Club recognizes that a healthy environment is the foundation of resilient communities. SAC Lions have:

Led the annual Palisadoes Beach Clean-up Project, reducing plastic waste and protecting coastal ecosystems.
Supported post-disaster clean-up campaigns after hurricanes, demonstrating alignment with the Sendai Framework by strengthening community capacity to “Build Back Better.”
Donated garbage bins to schools, teaching proper waste management.
Advanced tree planting initiatives, contributing to Jamaica’s reforestation goals under the Paris Agreement.

CHILDHOOD CANCER – Education and Advocacy

(SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being)

Recognizing the emotional and financial toll of pediatric cancer, the Club hosted an educational presentation led by a consultant. This initiative raised awareness among members and partners, laying the foundation for future support services for children and families.

HUMANITARIAN RELIEF & COMMUNITY OUTREACH

(SDG 1: No Poverty, SDG 11: Sustainable Communities)

Beyond the thematic areas, SAC Lions continues to support individuals with disabilities, marginalized families, and communities affected by crises. Through outreach, care packages, and home visits, the Club provides inclusive, people-centered service in line with Lions’ humanitarian mission.

YOUTH & TECHNOLOGY – Engaging the Next Generation

(SDG 4: Quality Education, SDG 9: Innovation & Infrastructure)

SAC Lions are leveraging technology and social media (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) to engage members and amplify impact. By promoting digital connectivity, the Club is creating opportunities for youth involvement while maintaining personalized connections through calls, visits, and e-cards.

Conclusion – A Commitment to Global and Local Impact

SAC Lions Club continues to drive high-impact service projects that:

Address urgent community needs (hunger, health, disaster response).
Support global development goals (SDGs, Paris Agreement, Sendai Framework).
Prioritize inclusion of persons with disabilities, the elderly, and marginalized groups.

As we move forward, SAC Lions remain committed to strengthening partnerships, building resilient communities, and empowering individuals to live healthier, more sustainable lives.

Lions Clubs International is the world's largest service club organization with more than 1.4 million members in approximately 46,000 clubs in more than 200 countries and geographical areas around the world.