On July 1, 2008, Missouri Lions District 26-M5 was created as part of a total reorganization of Multiple
District 26. District M5 was composed of parts of former Districts G, H, and I. Other parts of former
District I went to Districts M3, M4, and M7. District I was formed in a prior reorganization. The District
Governor at the time was Lion Robert Levy of Lexington who is reported to have said that he didn’t
know “what I can do, but I know what we can do.” Consequently the District was known as District I
(We). We have carried that mantra forward even to today into District M5.
At the time of the reorganization, District I members continued their strong support of various Lions
organizations including Lions Clubs International Foundation, Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation
(now known as Saving Sight), Leader Dog, Lions Business Opportunities for Missouri Blind (or LBOMB),
Mid-South Lions Sight and Hearing, and World Services for the Blind. The Lions from District G
introduced the District to the Children’s Center for the Visually Impaired and Alphapointe as we
expanded our horizons.
Through the early years of the new district, we focused most of our efforts on providing leadership
opportunities including several scholarships to Great Plains Lions Leadership Institute, Emerging Lions
Leadership Institute, and Faculty Development Institute. We began to branch out into service projects
that we could do as a district which has evolved into our current standing project of providing Hot
Wheels and Matchbox cars to Children’s Mercy Hospital for their pediatric patients and a rotating group
of needs at other non-profit organizations. Each cabinet meeting of the District provides the members
and their clubs the opportunity to provide assistance in the form of bringing hats and gloves for a
children’s home or soup for the Veteran’s Community Project and many others.
District 26-M5 welcomes all who want to serve their community and looks forward to assisting those in
need at any time. Where there is a need, there’s a Lion!