In 2003 a small group of ex-pats were chatting over a beer, discussing the plight of Ukraines needy and underprivileged, when one of them Roy Gregory, a real estate specialist suggested that it might be an idea to start a Lions Club in Kyiv. The idea was considered a good one by those present, and Roy, who had been a member of a Lions Club in the UK, was tasked with putting it together. Twenty members are needed to form a Lions Club, and these were found easily because many international and local business people had recognised the need for charitable fund raising and were ready to donate their time and expertise to helping the countrys needy and underprivileged. The club was quickly formed with Roy Gregory as the first president.

Stuart McKenzie was one of those first twenty and as he had been organising a Burns Night in Kyiv for many years previously, this became the first annual charity event of the Kyiv Lions Club (KLC), raising $35,000 in that first year.

The word spread quickly and more and more people joined the KLC, wishing to create a positive impact on the local community. Terry Pickard took over from Roy as President and the club grew, as did the money raised. Once Terrys tenure was up, Stuart McKenzie became President of the club, and it was under his leadership that fund raising took a mammoth leap forward with the introduction of two more charity events, Kozak Night (to celebrate all things Ukrainian) and the Presidents Gala Dinner.

Membership grew year-on-year as did the money the KLC raised, every penny of which was donated to verifiable charity projects in Ukraine. Medical equipment such as incubators and neurological dissectors were purchased for hospitals that didn't have the budget for them, clothes and equipment were provided to orphanages and homes for disabled children, and the elderly were supported through various projects. It soon became clear that the KLC was having maximum social impact, and was rapidly becoming an indispensable part of charitable life in Kyiv.

After Stuart came Pierre Slieman who continued the good work, then came Ken Nachbar who through dedication and his unquestionable organisational skills took the club to a whole new level raising well over $300,000 dollars in his year as president, almost ten times what was raised in the clubs first year. Ken handed over to Paul Niland who kept the flag flying, and in 2009, current president Curtis 'BJ' Bjelajac is putting his analytical mind to improving the nature of the help provided and encouraging a more interactive approach to the charities helped by the club.

The KLC has grown to become a truly international organisation as well as numerous Ukrainians involved with the club, current members represent 13 nations.

Even in the middle of the current crisis, the first fundraising event of the year, the 2009 KLC Burns Night raised approximately $100,000, and the money is needed more than ever as the government cuts healthcare and community programme budgets.