The Francis Scott Key Lions Club thanks the Frederick community for supporting our recent fundraisers at the Texas Roadhouse in Frederick. Through your generosity, we raised approximately $400 to benefit Leader Dogs for the Blind, a Lions legacy charity, which was founded by three Detroit-area Lions in the 1930s after their friend’s application to obtain a Seeing Eye guide dog was denied. Knowing that a dog would help this friend, a doctor, they asked another friend who trained Dobermans if he could help them out. In 1938, he trained a dog to help this doctor.
Formally founded on April 4, 1939, as Lions Leader Dog Foundation, its first class graduated on October 8, 1939; at that time, the cost to train one client/dog team was $600. Seeing Eye was the first guide dog organization; LDB followed shortly thereafter. Co-founder Lion Don Schurs said in 1939 that “it all started with $400 and a hatful of ideas.”
Privately funded, support from individual Lions and Lions and Leo Clubs worldwide accounts for approximately 20% of LDB’s $14-million-plus annual budget. Many students arrive on campus because of local Lions Clubs. Transportation to and from campus, room and board, training, and the dog are provided at no cost to the clients.
Lion Sandra Evans
Project Coordinator