Lions International was founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1917 and is dedicated to community service, particularly sight-related groups and projects. In 1923, Helen Keller charged The Lions to aid the blind. There are 14,000 chapters worldwide with 1.4 million members. The Bedford Village Lions began in 1947. The Lions have many annual functions such as the Halloween Parade, Pancake Breakfast and Spaghetti Supper. Other projects include a Senior's Dinner Theater Trip, and a Bike Decorating Contest held each Memorial Day. The club contributes to over 20 agencies yearly.