Lions Clubs International has its worthy representatives in Bulgaria, united in dozens of regional clubs across the country, who profess a simple but noble credo: “We serve”. They serve the people, who need help, they develop health, educational and other humanitarian programs and missions of public benefit.

On April 2, some of the Bulgarian Lions met on a special occasion. Dr. Clement Kusiak, President of the Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) and Immediate Past International President arrived from the United States specially to attend the ceremony of chartering the newest Leo Club “Veliko Tarnovo – Tsarevets” and the admittance of 25 new members into the serried ranks of Lions friends. The celebration was held in Home 2 of the Boyana Residence and was conducted by the District Governor of District 130 – Bulgaria, Mr. Nachko Pehlivanov. With warm words and sincere gladness to be among the Bulgarian Lions members, Dr. Kusiak greeted the guests and said it was an honor for him and his wife to be in Bulgaria again, and that the circle of their friends and adherents of the international Lions idea was expanding.

Twenty boys and girls from Veliko Tarnovo aged between 15 and 20 had come with great enthusiasm and overt pride to receive their “baptism of fire” – the solemn swearing in the credo and principles of the Lions Movement, which would become their lifetime sacred cause. Especially for them Dr. Kusiak had brought the official international certificate, which all new Leo members sign worldwide. He congratulated them according to an American tradition by raising a toast with a glass of water, saying, “Propose with your mind, give with your heart and love by your acts and actions.”

The second part of the celebration was devoted to the admittance of new Lions members, who in the friendly atmosphere of like-minded people very quickly felt part of a big family, where everybody enjoys general support and shared successes.