Haiti Earthquake

LIONS RESPONSE TO HAITI EARTHQUAKE

From International President Eberhard J. Wirfs:

Dear Lions of the World,

It is with great sadness that the world's attention is focused on the devastating earthquakes in Haiti that left 1.5 million homeless, up to 200,000 dead, and countless injured and traumatized. It will take years for the country to fully recover, but we know that Lions will be there every step of the way.

Just like Lions have done with the South Asian tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, the Sichuan earthquake in China and other calamities, Lions and LCIF will be there for the both the short- and long-term - providing immediate aid now but also working to rebuild communities, to restore hope and to support those affected for as long as it takes.

If there is one thing that makes Lions unique from other service agencies, it's that we commit for the long term and we work within the affected communities - through our local Lions -- to rebuild for a better tomorrow. The Haitian Lions are our brothers and sisters, members of our international family, and we will never let them down.

As you are likely aware, Lions have already moved swiftly to provide immediate assistance despite the coordination challenges. Lions relief tents are being shipped from Sweden; Lions from Canada on a mission in Haiti during the quake gave first aid assistance during the first hours and days; and Lions in the Caribbean area are sending aid over land and by sea. Additionally, a coordinating committee of Lions in Haiti, Dominican Republic and nearby countries are actively planning for the next steps, and our foundation chairperson, Al Brandel, immediate past international president, will be traveling there to meet with them beginning tomorrow.

Naturally, the response by Lions to LCIF's Lions Hope for Haiti donation appeal has been tremendous. Within days, we have already mobilized more than US$350,000. By the time you receive this email, I am sure it will be even much, much more. But we'll need millions more if we are to help the country rebuild, to provide homes for the homeless, to rebuild schools for the children, to rehabilitate those left disabled, and to help heal so many shattered and broken hearts. So please donate what you can.

Lastly, I am extremely saddened to report that two of our Haitian Lions -- our family -- have perished and other Lions may have lost family members. On behalf of Lions the world over and members of our international board, we offer our sincere, heartfelt condolences and sympathies to our Lions family who have suffered such personal losses.

To our Lions family in Haiti, I commit to you that the Lions of the world will be there for you today, tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, the year after that - and again for as long as it takes.

There will be more updates from LCIF Chairperson Brandel in the days to come. Meanwhile read the latest LCIF update on Haiti, including information on how you can make a personal online donation. I thank you all ahead of time for any further assistance you can provide.

With sympathies,

Eberhard J. Wirfs
International President

UPDATES From LCIF Chairman Past President Al Brandel:

Dear Lion,

Maureen and I have just returned from Haiti where we led a team of Lions and Leos to distribute relief supplies. It brought tears to our eyes to witness the despair of the people, but Lions are committed to meeting these needs in the days and years ahead.

I'd like to first thank all of you for your tremendous generosity. Lions Hope for Haiti mobilized more than US$1.5 million. By the time you receive this message, I'm sure it will be even more.

While in Haiti, we met with local Lions to discuss immediate needs and long-term reconstruction. They appointed a committee and are discussing long-term relief efforts.

The Foundation is partnering with the Lions of Sweden to provide 200 large tents to house those who are now homeless as well as relief workers. Haitian Lions established three tent cities in the Port au Prince area, where they are focusing their immediate relief efforts. This weekend, Lions delivered additional relief supplies from the Dominican Republic.

We have launched a Haiti section on the Lions Web site, with photos, video and other news. As we receive additional information, we will continue to add it to the Web site.

If you haven't already done so, I ask you to consider making a donation to LCIF to support this disaster. Lions in Haiti appreciate your support and are anxious to serve.

Zone Chairperson William Eliacin's initial desperation turned to hope and gratitude for the people of Haiti when he learned of the great outpouring of support from Lions around the world.

He said, "We want to show the Lions and the Haitian people in general that the Lions Club is an extraordinary organization, that we are here and that our motto is, "We Serve". We serve our peers, we serve our brothers who are in need. That is why we are here. So I am appealing to you. You can count on us to achieve as much as we can with your contribution to help those who are in need."

You can donate in confidence to LCIF, as 100 percent of every donation will go directly to Haiti relief. Through LCIF, Lions around the world are helping those most in need.

Lions provide relief supplies within Port au Prince, Haiti

For the most up-to-date information about LCIF's ongoing relief efforts in Haiti,
please visit www.lcif.org.

Dear Fellow Lion,

Since I last wrote you, we have all learned more about the extent of the devastation in Haiti. At Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), we have also learned more about the situation on the ground from the Lions of Haiti. My heart goes out to all the Lions in Haiti, who have been personally affected by this disaster, losing at least two club members as well as many close relatives. Yet they have put aside their own needs to help their community. LCIF is working non-stop with Lions of that area to support "Lions Hope for Haiti."

Lions Hope for Haiti has mobilized more than US$350,000, to date. Lions around the world are responding generously and quickly to the LCIF designated fund for this disaster. Donations are continuing to pour in from individuals, clubs and districts, and I thank all of you who have already pledged your support.

LCIF is working directly with Lions of Haiti as well as Lions in neighboring countries to assess the immediate needs and also develop a long-term reconstruction plan. Maureen and I will be traveling to the Dominican Republic in the next few days to lead a team delivering urgently needed supplies into Haiti.

Lions around the world are also assisting:

Lions in neighboring Caribbean countries are sending cargo containers of requested supplies through connections with transportation companies.

Lions in Sweden are sending large tents through the Swedish government to provide housing for those who are now homeless as well as relief workers, as they did for the China earthquake.

Lions from District A-9, Ontario, Canada were in the area when the earthquake hit, helping to establish a clean water system for an orphanage, and responded by establishing a make-shift medical clinic, treating 600 people.

Lions are contributing generously, some examples include: US$86,000 pledged from Lions in Norway; US$20,000 from Lions in China; US$14,000 from District 105-I, England.

Like other previous disasters, LCIF is not only committed to meeting the immediate needs of the people, but will be working through the Lions in the region to provide relief for years to come. After other relief organizations have moved out of the area, Lions will still be on the ground, overseeing long-term reconstruction projects. Similar to previous disasters, Lions will be discussing the possibility of rebuilding homes and hospitals, redeveloping the eye care delivery system, providing human resource support, and assisting the disabled, including those disabled as a result of this disaster.

Lions who are able to offer services or individual skills can post this information on the Lions 2 Lions page.

As we continue to work with the Lions and determine needs, we will update the information online with our plans and any news. We also hope to have photos to share soon, that we will post online. Lions can promote their efforts locally by sharing this information along with any local efforts with the local media, and I encourage you to repost our videos and other postings on your individual and club Web pages. LCIF is also working to promote our actions within the media. Our Foundation has been added to several lists of reputable organizations assisting the area.

If you haven't already done so, I ask you to consider making a donation to LCIF to support this disaster. You can donate in confidence to LCIF, as 100 percent of every donation will go directly to Haiti relief, as administrative costs are paid by interest earned on investments. LCIF just recently received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the highest rating possible from the independent charity evaluator. In 2007 LCIF was named the #1 non-governmental organization with which to partner, a title our Foundation still holds today.

The needs are great, but we can make a positive impact on the people of Haiti for years to come.

Together We Serve,

Al Brandel
Chairperson, Lions Clubs International Foundation

District 2-T2

Lions Clubs International © 2009-2010

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