1930年、Ｌ．ジョージ・Ａ．ボナム（当時イリノイ州ピオリアライオンズクラブ会長）は、ある日繁華街を歩いているとき、一人の盲人が交通ラッシュの道路を横断しようとして、立往生しているのを目撃しました。
ボナムは「自分は目が不自由なのだと、ドライバーに知らせる方法が何かあるはずだ」と、彼は白い杖を思いつきました。
クラブはこれを承認、白い杖を作り、ピオリア市の盲人に無料で贈りました。そして市議会では、白い杖の持ち主に交差点での優先権を認める条例を可決しました。

また、1925年第9回ライオンズクラブ国際大会においてゲストスピーカーの
ヘレン・ケラーが
「ライオンズよ！闇を開く聖戦の騎士たれ」
と呼びかけて以来、盲人を助け、眼を守る運動はライオンズクラブの奉仕活動の大きな柱になっています。

ヘレン・ケラーについて

Dear Lions and Ladies:

I suppose you have heard the legend that represents opportunity as a capricious lady, who knocks at every door but once, and if the door isn't opened quickly, she passes on, never to return. And that is as it should be. Lovely, desirable ladies won't wait. You have to go out and grab 'em.

I am your opportunity. I am knocking at your door. I want to be adopted.
The legend doesn't say what you are to do when several beautiful opportunities present themselves at the same door. I guess you have to choose the one you love best. I hope you will adopt me. I am the youngest here, and what I offer you is full of splendid opportunities for service.

The American Foundation for the Blind is only four years old. It grew out of the imperative needs of the blind, and was called into existence by the sightless themselves. It is national and international in scope and in importance. It represents the best and most enlightened thought on our subject that has been reached so far. Its object is to make the lives of the blind more worthwhile everywhere by increasing their economic value and giving them the joy of normal activity.

Try to imagine how you would feel if you were suddenly stricken blind today. Picture yourself stumbling and groping at noonday as in the night; your work, your independence, gone. In that dark world wouldn't you be glad if a friend took you by the hand and said, "Come with me and I will teach you how to do some of the things you used to do when you could see"? That is just the kind of friend the American Foundation is going to be to all the blind in this country
if seeing people will give it the support it must have.

You have heard how through a little word dropped from the fingers of another,
a ray of light from another soul touched the darkness of my mind and I found myself, found the world, found God. It is because my teacher learned about me and broke through the dark, silent imprisonment which held me that I am able to work for myself and for others. It is the caring we want more than money.
The gift without the sympathy and interest of the giver is empty. If you care,
if we can make the people of this great country care, the blind will indeed triumph over blindness.

The opportunity I bring to you, Lions, is this: To foster and sponsor the work of the American Foundation for the Blind. Will you not help me hasten the day when there shall be no preventable blindness; no little deaf, blind child untaught; no blind man or woman unaided? I appeal to you Lions,
you who have your sight, your hearing, you who are strong and brave and kind.
Will you not constitute yourselves Knights of the Blind in this crusade against darkness?

I thank you.