That question is best answered in terms of individuals whose lives have been enriched by humanitarian projects. Projects made possible by donations to Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) for the Melvin Jones Fellowship Program. The fellowship, which was created in 1973, takes its name from the founder of Lions Clubs International (LCI), Melvin Jones. It is an honor--not an award. The fellowship was established as LCIF’s highest form of recognition to acknowledge an individual’s dedication to humanitarian service. Fellowship donations are largely responsible for successfully launching the Lions’ aggressive global attack on preventable and curable blindness--the LCIF SightFirst program
     Fellowship donations, combined with other unrestricted gifts, provide funding for constructing and equipping medical facilities. These projects are often designed to benefit disadvantaged and underserved populations. Fellowship donations support vocational assistance programs that teach skills to disabled persons, giving them an opportunity to live productively and independently. Fellowship donations help fund reconstruction projects following major disasters. Fellowship donations have been used to provide homes for children with special needs and homes for the elderly. ...and the list of humanitarian projects goes on.
     When you meet Melvin Jones Fellows, you will notice that they are greatly concerned about the needs of humanity. They are firmly committed to finding ways of improving the quality of life in their local communities and in the world community. Thousands of lives have been dramatically touched by the good works that are funded with fellowship donations. The personal nature of the fellowship restricts it to individuals only. The honor cannot be given to any group or organization.