The Lions Clubs International Foundation's motto is 'We Serve,' and members live that calling wherever they are needed. In Italy alone, the Lions have donated one million euros to help manage the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
During Pope Francis' general audience, the Italian delegation was able to greet the Pope and present him with the organization's highest honor, the Melvin Jones Fellowship, for his humanitarian work.
MARIELLA SCIAMMETTA
President, Lions Clubs International Foundation Italy
It is the second time this year that I've meet him and he insisted on the same message: Go ahead, keep moving forward. Let's do good because that's what humanity needs. It needs the good; it needs people who want to be supportive of those who are struggling right now, who can't make it.
For the president of the Foundation, Mariella Sciammetta, the meeting with the Pope encourages the Lions to continue the services they are currently providing.
MARIELLA SCIAMMETTA
President, Lions Clubs International Foundation Italy
It is an emotion that is then transformed, as [the Pope] said today in his speech, into a willingness to have our talents bear fruit, to make our talents fruitful and the Lions serve in this way.
The Lions Clubs work on projects that aid those facing hunger, vision problems, diabetes, climate change and childhood cancer. They have 1.5 million members and are present in more than 200 countries around the world.
MRR
TR: KG