Join the Lions
Our Mission
To empower volunteers to serve their communities, meet humanitarian needs, encourage peace and promote international understanding through Lions clubs.
Our History – the beginning…
The San Diego Miramar Lions Club started in a local community cul-de-sac where caring and devoted neighbors greeted each other with a warm smile, a tasty treat, or a special tip on an upcoming event.
During the San Diego summers, each garden was full with a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, and every neighbor openly sharing their bounty. At the end of each summer, neighbors would gather and enjoy an end of Summer Block party inviting anyone who wished to enjoy the generous treats and specialty dishes. Winter brought warm garden soups, baked bread, and exotic foreign dishes. As the days, months, and years past, we would share good times, bad times, challenging times, and everything in between. And then a friend we knew from here, a friend we knew from there, a friend from the opposite coast, all joined the friendship and volunteer efforts of the group.
We learned to take care of each other, help each other without being asked, and combined our efforts to improve the neighborhood. Neighbors from the local park, whose common interest were our furry friends, quickly became special friends we could laugh with, count on, and share common interests about our community. Our “park” friends traded restaurant tips, community event interests, dog remedies, game nights, and shared trips to the beach with our dogs. We talked about areas of our neighborhood and beyond that needed our efforts, our time, and our devotion.
Taking baby steps, we looked for ways to make this world a better place for others, and to contribute in some small way – we began joining forces. Each member has a special gift – they care. They care about others, they care about community, and they care about the future. Their unique gift of “caring” turned our “expanded” group into a family of Lions. We became the Lions of the San Diego Miramar Lions Club – we hope you’ll Come Roar with Us!
La Jolla Presidents Lions Club – Parent & Sponsor to San Diego Miramar Lions Branch (Club)
SDMLC Guiding Lion and Organizer Julio DeGuzman
The La Jolla Presidents Lions Club (LJPLC), led by President Jeff Hansen, generously offered to help the San Diego Miramar Lions Branch (Club) become an established, stand-alone club. There are many hours of dedication and effort that go into starting a new club, and the LJPLC team were supportive from our first request.
If you haven’t personally experienced starting a Lions Charter Club, it is nothing short of “wow,” “…I didn’t know that…”. Their club Secretary, Lion Julio DeGuzman, took the lead, and offered to patiently take us through the hundreds of required steps and documentation to make it happen. Ensuring we stayed focused on established LCI guidelines, Lion Julio was always expeditiously responsive, fielding hundreds of texts, emails, and phone calls (literally).
The saying, “…if you don’t do it right the first time, when will you find the time to do it over…” was the driving force behind asking him for all the required “specifics.” We met in coffee shops, fast food restaurants, political events, Lion meetings, and even a casino or two. Lion Julio stepped up to help us for this, or sponsor me for that. He took the time to make sure the SDMLC was always invited to attend their Club meetings for education, exposure, and fellowship. Lion Julio has certainly been a great Guiding Lion.
We cannot express our thanks enough to Lion Julio and all the Lions of the La Jolla Presidents Lions Club. Thank you!
SDMLC Organizer Lion Jay Ruiz
Lion Jay Ruiz, Sr, has been instrumental from the very beginning when just a handful of individuals were ready to do more in their local community. A true leader in every regard, Lion Jay came out to our area when asked, talked to us, guided us, organized us, came to every meeting (on a Sunday night), answered calls at midnight, emails at o’dark thirty, and phone calls on Sunday during Church. He communicated clearly, knew the rules of what to do (and what not to do), and patiently directed each of us through every “laborious” step.
Lion Jay never wavered when we asked him to meet us at a “burger spot” 40 minutes from home, or drive clear across town to pick us up for a Lion event taking place far away. He was generous in articulating the best practices and educating the Branch with Lion documentation fitting our circumstances. He helped each Board Officer with sound advice, and then stood by to ensure nothing else was needed.
Lion Jay wrote welcoming emails to each new member that came onboard SDMLC, and they felt his goodness upon meeting him at events and meetings. In the true sense of Lionism, he has offered strong support to SDMLC members, and can always be counted on in good and tough times.
Lion Jay Ruiz exudes leadership and dedication. He sets the example of what leadership means in the true sense of the word, and warmly greeted each new Lion with kindness. We are lucky to have him as our Organizer Lion. Thank you Lion Jay!
Lions Club International
Lions Club International (LCI) is the world’s largest service organization. As of January of 2016, it has over 46,000 clubs and about 1.4 million members worldwide. 100% of funds raised for charity purposes are donated to the recipients. Information about LCI can be found at its website: www.lionsclubs.org.