We Serve the Mason Neck and Lorton Area of Fairfax County, Virginia

As members of the Mason Neck Lions Club, we volunteer our time to humanitarian causes in the Mason Neck and Lorton, Virginia areas and the world community. By conducting service projects and raising funds, we strive to help the less fortunate, wherever the need exists.

The Lions' motto is "We Serve."

The International Association of Lions Clubs was founded in Chicago, Illinois, in 1917. Although the youngest service club organization, Lions International has grown to be the worlds largest. As of April 30, 2009, Lions Clubs International had more than 1.3 Million Members in more than 45 Thousand Clubs in over 750 Districts in 205 Countries and Geographic locations.  Lions Clubs International is headquartered in Oak Brook Illinois. A board of directors, elected annually at the International Convention, governs the International Association.
In 1925, Helen Keller addressed the Lions at their International Convention, challenging them to become "Knights of the Blind in the crusade against darkness." Since that time, service to the blind and visually impaired has become one of the association's most significant activities.

While Lions speak many languages and profess many religious and political beliefs, they all subscribe to common objectives and ethical principles.

To create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needs by providing voluntary services through community involvement and international cooperation.

• To Show my faith in the worthiness of my vocation by industrious application to the end that I may merit a reputation for quality of service.

• To Seek success and to demand all fair remuneration or profit as my just due, but to accept no profit or success at the price of my –own self-respect lost because of unfair advantage taken or because of questionable acts on my part.

• To Remember that in building up my business it is not necessary to tear down another's; to be loyal to my clients or customers and true to myself.

• Whenever a doubt arises as to the right or ethics of my position or action towards others, to resolve such doubt against myself.

• To Hold friendship as an end and not a means. To hold that true friendship exists not on account of the service performed by one another, but that true friendship demands nothing but accepts service in the spirit in which it is given.

• Always to bear in mind my obligations as a citizen to my nation, my state, and my community, as to give them my unswerving loyalty in word, act, and deed. To give them freely of my time, labor and means.

• To Aid others by giving my sympathy to those in distress, my aid to the weak, and my substance to the needy.

• To Be Careful with my criticism and liberal with my praise; to build up and not destroy.

Past District Governor 2001-2002: Lion Glenn Ryburn (Life Member)
Lion Glenn has been a very active member of the Mason Neck Lions Club since the beginning of his tenure in LIONISM.  He is a Progressive Melvin Jones Fellow, and has held positions in the Mason Neck Lions Club of President, Vice President, Secretary, Tail Twisters and Lion Tamer. His committees include; Chairman of Membership, Visitation, Public Relations, Leadership, Program and various fund raising projects.  PDG Glenn was honored with a “Life Membership” by the Lions of Mason Neck for his dedicated service over the years.  Although he has moved from the immediate area, he is still active in the District and the Club.

President/Zone Chair: Lion Frances Mohr Frances Mohr was born in Washington, DC and received a Business Degree from American Institute in DC.  She was in private business in Management positions with her last job, before retiring, at a Law Office in DC where she was the Office Manager.  She is a active member as a Neighborhood Advisory Board Member, member of Citizens Advisory Committee, Seniors and Law Enforcement Working Together, Mt. Olivet Church, Smithsonian's James Smithson Society, Corning Museum's Ennion Society. Wolf Trap's Encore Membership, Eastern Star, Amaranth, Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, Budget Committee Member in Kingstowne, Chief/Assistant Chief--Fairfax Co. Board of Elections, Volunteer at Wolf Trap's Gift Shop, Brandywine's Society Sponsor, Mt. Vernon Cupola Society, Ft. Belvoir's Officers Club, National Railway Historical Society, taught classes at Red Cross for 20 years and was on Alexandria First Aid Team for 4 years.  This year, we combined with Dist. 22 and was in charge of the Banners for the Memorial Day Parade along with being a liaison.  She received 1 of 2 Zone Chairperson Awards; 1 of 24 Working Together Governor's Awards and 1 of 5 of 24A MD 24 Council of Governor's Award in May 2009.  Projects she has headed and involved in include Feeding the Fairfax Co. Police Officers at Christmas Eve & Christmas Day, raising funds for supplying First Aid Kits in Officers vehicles, collecting caps & flaps to be turned in to supply Police Canteen for use at critical events, placing small stuffed animals in Police Officer's vehicles, Monthly Cleaning of Franconia's Police Station's kitchen, hosting and raising funds for Legends of Alexandria, working with Va. Officials to place Screening Van at more visible locations.  She has been a Lion for over 9 years, attended Leadership Institute, Certified Guiding Lion Program. Extension Workshop, held positions as Tail Twister, 1st & 2nd VP, Zone Chair and currently is President of Mason Neck Lions Club, and Zone Chair. Presently she is District 24-A Social Chair.

1st Vice President/Membership: Lion James "Tom" Nally Lion Tom was born and raised in Oakland, Maryland. He attended St Charles and St Mary's in Baltimore. He served 3 years in the U.S. Army while stationed at the Pentagon. Lion Tom worked for Sears at Landmark for 30 years. He is married and has 3 Children and 2 Grandchildren. Lion Tom previously served as President and Secretary the Mason Neck Lions Club.  At the District Level, Lion Tom has served as Region Chair, Zone Chair, Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Treasurer. He is currently serving as the District New Member Orientation Chairman.

2nd  Vice President: Lion Calvin Smith Lion Calvin was born in Black Rock Arkansas and was raised in West Memphis, Arkansas.  He served four years in the U.S. Navy as an electricians mate. After the Navy, Lion Calvin earned his Bachelor of Business Administration and Masters of Business Administration from the University of Memphis. Lion Calvin worked with the Defense Logistics Agency for 33 years in various analytical positions and worked in Memphis, Richmond, Alexandria and Ft. Belvoir prior to his retirement in 2004.  Lion Calvin is now working as a realtor with Long and Foster Realty in Kingstowne.  Lion Calvin and his wife, Kathy, reside in Lorton, Virginia, where Lion Calvin serves as treasurer on the South County Federation of Homeowners Associations.   Lion Calvin joined the Mason Neck Lions Club in 2006.  He has served as co-tail twister and co-lion tamer. 

Secretary: Lion Mike Mohr was born in Buffalo, NY and graduated from UB with a degree in Geography.  Currently, he works in Alex. for Homeland Security as a Computer Specialist with Air Manifest.  He has been a Lion for 2 years and a drag-along for 3 years.  He has been with the Government for 35 years.  He is active as a Neighborhood Advisory Board member, member of Citizens Advisory Committee, Seniors and Law Enforcement Working Together, Monthly Cleaning of Franconia's Police Station's kitchen, Mt. Olivet Church. UB Alumni, New York State Society, Smithsonian's James Smithson Society, Corning Museum's Ennion Society, Brandywine's Society Sponsor, Mt. Vernon Cupola Society, Ft. Belvoir's Officers Club, National Railway Historical Society and Wolf Trap's Encore Membership.  Current Mason Neck Lion's Club Secretary.

Treasurer / Zone Chair: Lion Dave Collyer Lion Dave was born in Summit, N.J. He moved with his family to Baltimore, Md. in 1949. He retired on Dec. 1, 2002 after 32 years as a field service engineer in the medical imaging field. Lion Dave has four children and three grandchildren. He joined the Mason Neck Lions Club in the summer of 2003, and soon after joined the team at the Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center as an assistant operations manager. During the summer of 2004 Lion Dave also became a driver/technician for the District 24-A Sight and Hearing Screening Van.  He has served as Zone Chair for Region II, Zone 2 (2006-2007). He is currently serving as District Chair for the Lions eyeglass Recycling Center of Northern Virginia.

Tail Twister/Shrimp Chair: Lion Foster Morse, an avid fisherman and sports enthusiast, was born in Portsmouth, VA. He is a retired educator, who spent 32 years working in public schools as a teacher and administrator with 27 years in Fairfax County, VA. Foster, a Melvin Jones Fellow and LOVF Humanitarian, has been a member of the Mason Neck Lions Club for over 25 years. As a club member he has served as Secretary, Treasurer. President (twice), Lion Tamer and Tail Twister. His service at the District level includes Zone Chair (3Times) Region (twice) District Chaplain, District Lioness Chair, International Convention Chair, USA Canada Lions Leadership Forum Chair and District Social Chair. He attended the "Train the Trainer Leadership Workshop" and then conducted leadership training sessions. Lin Foster has taught Tail Twister orientation classes for newly elected Tail Twisters at District Officers Training School. Noted for his sense of humor and ingenuity in assessing fines he is very comfortable in the position of Tail Twister. He considers himself one of the best in the District. In additional to his accomplishments as a Lion he is very active in other civic organizations in the Mason Neck Area and is a member of the Springfield United Methodist Church.

Lion Tamer: Lion Don Eckelhofer grew up in Union, New Jersey. While in High School he was an accomplished wrestler, winning the AAU 103 Weight Class State Championship his senior year.  His wrestling career continued throughout his college years at Tusculum College, Greeneville, Tennessee. He moved to Fairfax County, Virginia in 1959 where he worked as a science teacher for the Fairfax County Public Schools until he retired in 1989. Donald is an avid trout fisherman that has received many citations for his prized-trophy catches.  He enjoys traveling to places such as Cancun, Mexico and Las Vegas, Nevada on a regular basis.  He attends Springfield United Methodist Church. He joined Mason Neck Lions Club in May 2002, his interest in the Lions Club came about because of the work Lions do with sight and vision programs and projects. Lion Don has worked with the food service venues and is co-chair of the Shrimp Sales Committee. In the past, he has served as substitute tail twister and supports the Mason Neck Lions Club in any way he can. For the 2009-2010 year he will serve as the Lion Tamer of the club.

Email and/or Call Our Membership Committee
To Learn More About Lionism

Becoming a Member

Membership in a Lions Club is by invitation only. Through membership, Lions not only help people in need, but also have opportunities to develop personal friendships and gain valuable leadership skills. The membership committee may be reached by E-Mail or Telephone.You may obtain Lionism information from any member of the Mason Neck Lions Club. Please contact us to receive an invitation to one of our meetings, and then join us, and learn more about Lionism.

To e-mail us click on the Lions Name or e-mail address.

What We Do

From 1925 to the present, Lions have been recognized throughout the world for their service to the blind and visually impaired. A majority of the world's eye banks are established and supported by Lions, as are hundreds of Clinics, Hospitals and Eye Research Centers. Since our club was chartered in 1967, countless members of our local community have been helped with free quality eye care, eyeglasses and hearing exams, that they would not have otherwise been able to obtain. The majority of our funds are used to support the Lorton Community Action Center and the Local Community.

Fund Raising

One of our major fund raising projects is the sale of Fresh Shrimp during the months of September thru December. (When the Florida and/or Carolina Shrimp are running). Our Shrimp Chairman, Lion Foster Morse (703-339-7099), or Lion Don Eckelhofer (703-931-8607) will be happy to assist you or your club in obtaining Shrimp.

When and Where We Meet

Our Club holds its dinner meetings on the Second and Fourth Wednesday of each month at the Polo Grill 7784 Gunston Plaza Dr. at 6:30 PM. All are welcome to attend. Please e-mail the secretary if you plan to visit. We conduct Lions business at our monthly board meetings, held the Fourth Wednesday of each month.  Each 3rd Wednesday morning, we host a breakfast get together at 8:00AM at the American BBQ Cafe located on the corner of Lockport Pl. and Telegraph Rd. in Lorton, VA.  Everyone is invited.

Eyeglass Collection Sites

Do You Need The Lions Help

In our continuing effort to serve our communities, the Lions Clubs of Northern Virginia provide several telephone help hotlines. Some telephone help hotlines use voice mail recordings.  Messages left on these voice mail systems are checked daily. Each message is then forwarded to the Lions Club responsible for serving the caller's locale. Although the primary mission of the Lions Clubs is in the areas of sight, hearing, and diabetes, all Lions are committed to assist everyone in their community that requires help. Therefore, our help hotlines are available to anyone needing help or wanting to learn more about Lionism.

Clicking this button will take you to the Web Page that has the hotline telephone numbers. Calls to the hotlines range from the local resident who needs assistance to a traveling or vacationing Lion looking for a club to visit. More than one person has called looking for a Lions Club to join.

Links to other Lions Site (Click site name)

Links to Home Pages of our Service Area