As the largest service organization in the world, the Lions have 43,500 clubs internationally, in 184 countries, with 1,400,030 members as of February 1997.
The motto of the Lions is “We Serve,” and they have been doing that through many projects for the Paynesville area; including the public restrooms downtown, and funding toward the Paynesville Area High School baseball field lights and track. A few projects they have donated time and labor to were painting the historical society buildings, cleaning five miles of highway ditches, and serving Thanksgiving dinner to area senior citizens.
The Paynesville Lions Club also donates funds to the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF), who fund various projects as they see fit.
One of the Lions ongoing commitments, both internationally and locally, is the betterment of human health. The Paynesville Lions Club continues to fund projects that deal with hearing, sight, and diabetes through the U of M Lions Eye Bank and Children's Eye Clinic, the U of M Hearing Foundation, Leader Dog, Diabetes Awareness, and Sight First programs.
Locally, they have provided handicap accessible ramps in private homes, collected used eye glasses, and have paid for eye exams, glasses, and even cataract surgery for some who couldn't afford it.
The Paynesville Lions Club has also sponsored the Boy Scouts, scholarships, the Highway 55 roadside park, tennis courts, the senior center building, handicapped accessible curbs, the new addition to the Paynesville Public Library, and various high school organizations.
Each year the Paynesville Lions Club holds various fund raisers. Lions Club members sell hamburgers during Town and Country Days and wreaths at Christmas time. They hold their annual spaghetti and chili suppers, and also participate in a basketball district tournament program.
All profits from the fundraisers go into a project fund from which the contributions are paid, and membership dues pay all operational expenses and club member social activities.