Serving Austin Since 1916 -The World’s Oldest Continuous Lions Club

As part of the Lions Clubs International network of over 1.4 million members, the Austin Founder Lions Club is a non-political, non-sectarian service organization dedicated to making a hands-on impact in our local community. For over a century, we’ve brought together leaders, neighbors, and volunteers who care deeply about the future of Austin.

Hands-On Community Impact

• Vision Screenings: Protecting early childhood health through regular vision assessments in Austin ISD elementary schools.

• Local Grants & Support: Partnering with regional non-profits to address food insecurity, environmental stewardship, and community wellness.

• Civic Engagement: Hosting service projects throughout the year to keep Austin vibrant and inclusive.

Engaging Weekly Speaker Series Every week, we host prominent civic leaders, journalists, and experts shaping our city. Recent speakers include:

• Mayor Kirk Watson on city growth and infrastructure.

• John Burnett (NPR Correspondent) on national and global reporting.

• Sheriff Sally Hernandez & Judge Andy Brown on public safety and county leadership.

• Mike Levy (Texas Monthly Founder) on media and Texas culture.

• Dr. Patrick Lee (Central Health) on regional public health initiatives.

Join Us as a Guest Visitors are always welcome! Experience the camaraderie, learn about issues affecting our region, and discover how you can give back.

• When: Thursdays, 11:45 AM – 1:00 PM

• Where: Building 626, Austin State Hospital campus (near E. 41st St. & Guadalupe St.)

• Note: We occasionally meet at other venues, including the historic Lions Municipal Golf Course. Please check our calendar before attending.

Get in Touch Have questions about visiting or becoming a member? Email us or join us this Thursday.

info@austindowntownlions.org

Eyeglasses Recycling

Want to help us give sight to the world? Find local eyeglass recycling drop-off locations HERE

According to The World Health Organization, 153 million people have uncorrected refractive errors (near-sightedness, far-sightedness or astigmatism). Most of these vision impairments are quickly diagnosed and easy to treat with corrective lenses.

Still, millions of people in developing nations are pushed deeper into poverty simply because they don't have glasses. They can't learn, because reading is difficult. They can't work to the best of their ability, because they can't see clearly.

It costs Lions less than 8¢ to provide a pair of recycled eyeglasses and change someone's life. For children, clear vision means a better education, healthier development and a better quality of life. For adults, it means greater employment opportunity and economic strength. For seniors it means less dependence on others. Lions clubs collect millions of eyeglasses each year, making eyeglass recycling one of our most popular activities. Will you help us in our mission to give sight to the world? Donate your used glasses today!

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Vision Screening

The Austin Founder Lion Club screened the vision of 2,635 Pre-K students in 52 Austin elementary schools during the 2025-2026 school year. 621 (23.6%) failed their initial screening and were given vouchers which provide free exams and glasses.  The funds for these vouchers were raised by the club.

For the 2026-2027 school year we will be vision screening kids at 50+ schools. We will need volunteers to assist. 

Click Here to Volunteer to Help

Mobile App for Austin Founder Lions Club Members

Austin Founder Lions Club now provides a mobile app to help members more easily stay in touch with club activities and their fellow club members. The app is available for both Apple and Android devices. It is provided by Wild Apricot.

Using this app, you can:

• See a list of upcoming events, register and pay for them.
• View the details of events you've signed up for.
• Find other members of the club and contact them.
• Update your personal profile.

    

A History of Quality and Service

Established in Austin Texas in 1916, our club has been known as the Austin Lions Club, the Lions Club of Austin, and the Downtown Lions Club. In 1976, the name was formally changed to the Founder Lions Club of Austin. We are now known as the Austin Founder Lions Club and the history of the Austin Founder Lions Club is a long one of quality and service.

Past and present members include many of the most prominent names in both Austin and Texas' history - U.S. Congressman J.J. "Jake" Pickle, Austin mayor Gus Garcia, both Willie Kocurek and his son Neal Kocurek, and more - all dedicated to the service of humanity through the spirit of Lionism and its many community outreach programs.

We admit we are a bit proud of our status as the "world's oldest continuously operating Lions Club", but, we like to think that our efforts in community service are typical of Lions Clubs the world over. It's a story of garage sales, golf tournaments, rose sales and other kinds of fund raisers. It's a story of answering the needs of the community and of disadvantaged groups and individuals, through efforts such as our Eyeglasses Recycling program, support of the Texas Lions Camp and the Lone Star Eye Bank, eyeglasses for students and other projects. And it's a story of building and working with other Lions Clubs to promote teamwork in service.

We are perhaps most proud, however, to be a part of Lions Clubs International, which provides the opportunity to support nonpartisan service activities that are worldwide in scope. Through Lions International we can help fight blindness and other social problems around the world while promoting international understanding, and that's what makes our association so special. The club participates in projects with other clubs in surrounding counties known as Lions District 2-S3.

MISSION STATEMENT

TO EMPOWER volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions Clubs.