Special to The Hays Daily News

Lions from the 71 clubs in the western half of Kansas will rally in support of improving community service to their hometown communities Feb. 19 to 20 at the Memorial Union on the Fort Hays State University campus in Hays. Special guests for the Lions will be International Director Douglas Lozier and his wife, Kathy, from Indiana, who will serve as guest speakers and representatives of the International Association of Lions Clubs.

Lions District Gov. Bill Fairchild and his wife, Janis, of Fort Larned Lions Club, will serve as hosts for the 1,600-plus Western Kansas Lions and special guests from all points of Kansas, including international guests. Past Council Chairman Les Herrman of Hays Lions Club serves as convention chairman and manager.

Other Kansas Lions will serve as instructors and presenters for various workshops and information seminars. These are designed to assist local club officers and members develop leadership skills and general knowledge of Lions Club benefits to improve service to their hometowns in western Kansas. Among the seminars will be information on the Leader Dog Program, which provides free guide dogs for the blind. Peace poster student winners also will be honored with their parents at a special youth luncheon.

The International Association of Lions Clubs is the world's largest service organization with more than 1.35 million Lions in 45,300-plus clubs in 205 countries. Western Kansas Lions of MD17-L number 1,600-plus members in 71 Lions and Branch Clubs covering the entire western half of Kansas.