Join Us for the 56th Annual Celebration of Lionism

Living and Serving the Vision of Lions

Memorial Annual Board Meeting  |  Friday, January 10, 2025  |  1:00pm to 2:00pm
    "Open Forum: Vision/Planning for 2025"  |  Friday, January 10, 2025  |  2:00pm to 4:00pm
           Celebrating Lions Event  |  Saturday, January 11, 2025  |  9:00am to 11:00am
Reception and Luncheon Banquet  |  Saturday, January 11, 2025    |  12noon to 2:00pm

Melvin Jones Lions International Memorial   |   15756 West US-70   |   Fort Thomas, Arizona 85536-0163 

Birthplace of our Lions International founder Melvin Jones.

The Memorial is a recognized Historical Landmark — right in our backyard — created by Lions of Arizona
as a state project to support the Melvin Jones Lions International Memorial Foundation.

Celebrating Lionism

Living and Serving the Vision of Lions

Ernesto 'TJ' TijerinaWe meet to rededicate OURSELVES to the vision of Lions and the legacy of Melvin Jones. Featured guest speaker will be Ernesto "TJ" Tijerina, past international director from San Antonio, Texas.

Events of the weekend include the Friday morning MJLIM Board Meeting at the Memorial commencing at 10 a.m. That will be followed by an "Open Forum" discussion on vision and plans for the Memorial at 2 p.m. A social gathering and dinner will be Friday evening beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Branding Iron Steakhouse in Safford (cost on your own).

Saturday activities commence with an informal visitation to the Memorial and Archives beginning at 9 a.m. with morning refreshments. The "Celebrating Lionism" program with special presentations at the Memorial starting at 10 a.m. The Saturday luncheon and special program featuring PID Tijerina will be from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the Eastern Arizona College, 615 No. Stadium Avenue, Thatcher. Cost for the luncheon is $35 per person with registration in advance.

QRcodeLunch reservations are required. Send your check for the buffet meal to: MJLIM c/o Clyde Elrod, 545 W. Bismark St., San Tan Valley, AZ 85143 for the 2025 Lions Celebration Banquet or to donate to the event in support of the MJLIM Foundation. Overnight accommodations are available at the Springhill Suites Marriott, 2855 W. US-70 in Thatcher. For the special Lions rate of $139/night, call the hotel direct at 928-428-6900 and be sure to note code: Lions2025.

Reach Out

Visit Us

15756 West Highway 70, Fort Thomas, AZ  85536-0163

Need Directions?  Have Questions?

Call us at 928-830-8236 or message us

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the history of the Memorial?

From humble beginnings as a club project to its status as an international shrine, the Melvin Jones Lions International Memorial honors the founder of Lions International, the world's largest network of humanitarian service clubs. It honors Melvin Jones who served as the Lions International executive director from its inception in 1917 until his death in 1961.

Following his death, Lions of Arizona began work to create a permanent memorial. Dedicated in 1965, the Memorial has expanded to a four-acre, park-like destination with its iconic 50-foot spire, an adobe-style museum building, plus black-granite monument walls affixed with personalized plaques. Designated as an Arizona state historical site, the Memorial hosts events and activities including an annual rededication to Lions "Celebration" on the weekend closest to his birth day (January 13 of each year).

Support for the Memorial, its site operations, and expansion of its museum and historical exhibits is realized solely from donations, from Lions members, clubs and individuals who want to preserve Jones' legacy and philosophy — "You can't get very far until you start doing something for somebody else." — which lives in the Lions motto 'We Serve.'

Click here to view a short video that adds to the history of the Memorial.

Who was Melvin Jones?

Born in 1879 during the Indian Wars near Fort Thomas, Arizona Territory, young Melvin Jones learned early how vital is working together, pooling talents, energies and resources for survival and community success. This was a time when the Indian Wars of the American West were savage and survival required working with friends and neighbors for mutual assistance ...lessons he learned as a boy that assisted him as an adult in the equally savage world of business during the industrial revolution of the early 1900s.

As an adult in 1917, Melvin Jones joined with other successful businessmen in service to community. What developed is Lions International, the largest network of service clubs in the world with more than 1.4 million members in 220 countries. Focus areas are vision, diabetes, hunger, environment and childhood cancer. While global in status and stature, Lions focus on local issues and service activities while maintaining Jones' philosophy: You can't get very far until you start doing something for somebody else" — a mantra that is central to Lions' motto 'We Serve.'

Jones served Lions International as its executive director and Secretary-General until his death in 1961. Lions of Arizona began work to create a permanent memorial to honor his leadership. In 1965, the Memorial was dedicated and further designated a Lions International shrine (1999), as well as an Arizona state historical site.

When is the Lions Rededication Event?  

Feel free to join us for "Celebrating Lionsim - Living and Serving the Vision of Lions" the weekend of January 10-11, 2025. Featured guest speaker will be Ernesto "TJ" Tijerina, Past International Director from San Antonio, Texas. Events of the weekend include the Friday morning Memorial Board Meeting followed by an afternoon "Open Forum" discussion on memorial vision and plans at the Memorial. Saturday activities commence with the open visitation and networking at the Memorial and Archives beginning at 9 a.m. The "Rededication to Lionism" program starts at 10 a.m. followed by a luncheon (12 noon) at Eastern Arizona College in nearby Thatcher. Cost for the luncheon is $35 per person with registration in advance.

QR CodeYou are welcome to participate in all or select your event. Two ways to reserve your luncheon tickets: send your money to MJLIM c/o Clyde Elrod, 545 W. Bismark St., San Tan Valley, AZ 85143 or use the QR code at right to purchase online tickets. Overnight stays at the Springhill Suites Marriott (2855 W. Hwy. 70, Thatcher) can be reserver at a discounted $139 per night (Friday or Saturday) by calling the hotel direct at 928-428-6900 and using the code: Lions 2025.

What is the Vanguard?

Vanguard logoThe prestigious Vanguard honor recognizes the fraternal group of one thousand who contribute $1,000 (US) to our vision for the World Culture Center at the Melvin Jones Lions International Memorial. The funds provided by the one thousand Vanguards will be used to purchase acreage adjacent to the existing memorial and invested in engineering and design for a comprehensive Center Pavilion and museum facility.

The extended vision is to rebuild and restore the military outpost that was Fort Thomas as it originally existed when Melvin Jones was born and raised through early childhood at the camp. Further, to build a pavilion honoring the Native Indian Nations of the Americas (particularly those of the Arizona Territory) — to tell their history and share their rich cultures with historical accuracy. Another pavilion will display the activities and services of Lions throughout the world. Lions of every country that have clubs will be invited to provide exhibits of their projects and activities of Lions in action.

The Vanguard vision extends also to a pavilion recognizing individuals who have had a significant impact on the development and enrichment of human-kind throughout history, and to build a conference and hospitality center for tourism and conference meetings. The goal is to create a unique tourist destination site attracting families and students for an educational extravaganza that is cutting edge and first class.

A complete list of Vanguard recipients, as well as a complete directory of donors for plaques and bricks will be available soon. Please check back.

Birthplace of Melvin Jones, Founder of Lions International