The Santee Lions Club was chartered in November of 1990 by the International Association of Lions Clubs.  The club and it's members have worked hard at various projects and events with their main thrust in three areas.  First as with all Lions Clubs we work within our community to help those who are sight impaired and/or blind, second we work to help those who are hearing impaired or deaf, and third we help improve our community by donating funds to such groups as Santee Santas Foundation (www.santeesantas.org), and the Santee School District Foundation (www.santeefoundation.net).

The Club has been recognized by the City of Santee numerous times for its work within the City to improve the quality of life for the citizens, especially the children, seniors and the handicapped of Santee and its surrounding communities.  The Club was recognized for the development and manufacture of the first "Curb Cuts" used by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters to allow the handicapped to reach their polling stations.  We were recognized by the Mexican Department of Education and the Governor of Baja California for our work in modernizing an elementary school near Roasrito Beach. 

Several of our members have been recognized and honored by Lions International for the work they have done in promoting a better community not only in Santee but also the global community.  Lions Clubs are autonomous in that they are allowed to work within their communities without interference or assessment of funds.

Their involvement includes financial as well as volunteering to such organizations as:

• Lions Optometric Vision Clinic
• Childrens Hospital
• San Diego Blind Community Center
• San Diego Center for the Blind
• Guide Dogs of the Desert
• Canine Companions for Independence
• City of Hope
• Lions Wilderness Camp for Deaf Children
• Santee CASA
• Santee School District
• Santee School District Foundation
• Santee Santas Foundation
• Santee Chamber of Commerce
• Santee Lakes Handicapped Pier
• Santee Lakes Sensory Garden

 Many other activities including Santee's Red Ribbon Week Sponsor, Holday gifts for Edgmoor Residents, a Student Speakers Contest that awards Scholarships now amounting to more than $21,000.00, collecting used eye glasses and hearing aids for refurbishment and recycling.  To accomplish these things and to be able to finance these programs the Rancho Santee Lions Association has fundraisers throughout the year.  Previously our two major fundraisers were a Strike for Sight Bowling Tournament and a Fashion Show.  Our major activity currently is a pancake breakfast monthly at the Santee Lakes Clubhouse to raise funds to place a "Sensory Garden" at mLake 4 for the blind and sight impaired in our continuing efforts to make the Santee Lakes Recreation Area available to all residents regardless of handicap.

We invite all civic minded people who are interested in improving their community while having fun at the same time to come join us and see committed members of this community at work and having fun at the same time.