How Phineas Packard Founded Downtown San Diego Lions Club.

It all began with Phineas Packard, owner of San Diego Arts and Crafts Press, who was convinced San Diego needed an organization to serve the community – one that worked hard and played hard!

Phineas started his campaign on 12 August 1921, by inviting 11 influential San Diego businessmen to lunch at the San Diego Hotel. The group agreed to pursue membership in the fledgling international organization called the Lions Club and contacted the Los Angeles Lions Club for help.

On a Saturday in the following month, the group met for dinner at the U.S. Grant Hotel with four members of the Los Angeles Club. The first official meeting of the Downtown San Diego Lions Club was 29 September 1921, at the San Diego Hotel and after reaching the requisite 50 members, the Club was chartered on 8 April 1922.

The Downtown San Diego Lions Club has currently has approximately 120 members. We have accomplished many altruistic achievements including:

  • Funding buildings for the Girl Scouts of America in Balboa Park, Lions Optometric Vision Clinic, Blind Recreation Center, and our own Lions Manor.
  • Supported over 400 charitable organizations. In 2018, we provided funding and volunteer services to the Natural History Museum, Meals on Wheels, Veterans Village’s Stand Down, Paralyzed Veterans, Interfaith Shelter Network, San Diego Young Artists Academy, and Outdoor Outreach.
  • Developed and hosts the Mike Morrow Baseball Tournament, now called the San Diego Lions Baseball Tournament, which is the largest high school baseball tournament in the United States.
  • Sponsor and serve at Lions Camp Jack, which provides a week of recreational outdoor camp for financially disadvantaged children.
  • “Adopted” several elementary and secondary schools such as Valencia Park Elementary School, Monarch School for homeless children, and Mark Twain High School for students needing a second chance.
heartoflioncover-web

With the Heart of a Lion.

The story of the San Diego (Host) Lions Club By Winke Self

Explore 75 years of dedicated service with the San Diego (Host) Lions Club in this compelling story by Winke Self. This downloadable PDF chronicles the club’s rich history, impactful achievements, and unwavering commitment to the community.

The Downtown San Diego Lions Club continues to be the premier service organization in San Diego.The Downtown San Diego Lions Club continues to be the premier service organization in San Diego.

Making history every day

We Serve Globally

Lion Club is an international organization and more information about this great organization.

Lions Serve: A Global Commitment to Community

Since its founding in 1917, Lions Clubs International has united individuals with a shared mission: to serve their communities and make a lasting impact.

  • Over 1.38 million members worldwide

  • Active in 210 countries and geographical areas

  • The world’s largest service club organization with 46,481 clubs

The Downtown San Diego
Lions Club

The Downtown San Diego Lions Club, one of the largest Lions Clubs in the United States, has been recognized for its exceptional community service. In November 2017, the club received the Outstanding Grant Making Organization award at National Philanthropy Day. Following this, in May 2018, they were honored with the Malin Burnham Award for Most Admired Service Organization at the Reality Changers event. The club capped off the year with the Top Large Club Award from the Lions District in June 2018.

The Downtown San Diego largest Lions Clubs in the United States
Award-Winning
Excellence