In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General warned of an epidemic of loneliness in this country,

saying that increasing social isolation is threatening Americans' health and well-being.

For some women, there's a special club that offers immediate social connection,

a place where everyone knows your name, as they say.

Special correspondent Megan Thompson has our report, part of her upcoming documentary on The Lois Club.

The group of special visitors clambered off their motor coach and onto waiting trolleys at the Kansas City Zoo and Aquarium.

It's home to some 10,000 animals, but this group was here to see just one. Lois is 47 years old. She's one of our nine

African elephants. Why all the interest in an elephant named Lois? Because these women are all named

Lois too. I am Lois Hilger. Lois Stevenson. Lois settling. My name is Lois Chang.

This is the Lois Club, and they've come to Kansas City from all over the country for their four-day national convention.

The visit to Lois the Elephant was just one stop.

The Lois Club has been around since 1979, when, as the story goes, two Loises in Minnesota

met for lunch and thought it would be fun to do it again and invite more Loises.

The Lois Club was born.

It just seems that as soon as you meet a Lois, right away you got a friend.

There are not only Lois lowest clubs in the United States,

there are lowest clubs in Canada,

there are lowest clubs in Europe and New Zealand.

Meeting for lunch is still a main activity.

Local clubs across the country gather every few months to

gash,

gab and sing.

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