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Messages from LCIF Chairperson
Mahendra Amarasuriya
2008-2009 LCIF Chairperson
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----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 1:49 PM
Subject: Lions Clubs International Support For
Special Olympics
Dear
Lion,
Lions Clubs International has had a
long-lasting, and very rewarding partnership with the Special
Olympics organization.
The Special Olympics
organization is engaging in a new campaign, launching March 31,
called Spread The Word to End The Word.
It is a national day of awareness for America to stop and
think about their use of the R-word.
That R-word is not recession, but something more hurtful
and painful retard.
Our partnership began with the Opening
Eyes program.
The Special Olympics-Lions Clubs
International Opening Eyes program is supported by Lions Clubs
International Foundation (LCIF). The partnership program began in
2001 and has provided vision care to more than 100,000 individuals
with intellectual disabilities.
Together our two organizations are dedicated to serving those
in need; the combined effort helps a population whose needs are so
often overlooked.
Our partnership has been further
solidified with recent initiatives, including new special interest
Lions clubs popping up all over the United States, whose main focus
is working with Special Olympics athletes.
I also had the pleasure of attending the Special Olympics
Winter Games in Boise, ID in February, and can tell you first hand
these athletes carry themselves with dignity, and deserve nothing
less than our admiration and respect.
Support of this campaign is easy, and will just
take a moment of your time.
Click on the link provided below to sign the pledge to stop
using the R-word.
Declare your support for more respectful and inclusive language,
specifically that referring to those with intellectual disabilities.
www.r-word.org
Spread the word Lions!!
Sincerely,
Al Brandel
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| Posted
March 19, 2009 |
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Dear Fellow Lions,
The beginning of 2009 has been a great success for
our Foundation. The Youth and Sight Partners Forums took place at
the end of January and were a great success. The debut of the new
Lions Clubs International Foundation Web site is quickly
approaching. The Foundation and Lions are working together to aid
the victims of wildfires that have devastated parts of Australia.
Lions around the world continue to serve those in need through LCIF.
Please enjoy the updates about our great accomplishments so far this
year.
Yours in Lionism,
Mahendra Amarasuriya
LCIF
Chairperson
LCIF Newsletter for March 2009 |
| Posted
March 5, 2009 |
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Dear Fellow Lions,
I would like to provide you with an
update on LCIFs response to the recent hurricanes.
This summer there were a great number
of hurricanes throughout the Caribbean
and U.S. Gulf Coast. The destruction was significant, killing
thousands and destroying properties across several countries and
states from wind damage to flooding. Similar to past disasters,
Lions and LCIF quickly responded to provide immediate relief items
and help families to get back on their feet.
Hurricane Gustav caused $20 billion in
damage and caused great flooding damage in
Mississippi,
Louisiana and Texas, areas previously hard hit by Hurricane
Katrina in 2005. LCIF issued five Emergency grants to Lions
districts in
Mississippi and Louisiana, totaling $50,000 in relief funds.
Grants totaling $15,000 were also awarded to Lions in the Dominican Republic and Mexico.
Hurricane Ike, the ninth hurricane of
the summer, also hit the Gulf Coast of the U.S., making landfall in Texas and causing
destruction along hundreds of miles of coastline. LCIF has issued
five Emergency grants to districts in Texas
and Louisiana, totaling
$50,000 for immediate needs.
LCIF has responded to a number of
recent natural disasters around the world. Since July 1, LCIF has
issued $464,000 in Emergency grants. LCIF continues to be in touch
with Lions in the affected areas to assess the situation and respond
as needed.
Emergency grants and Major Catastrophe
grants are funded through LCIFs general humanitarian fund.
Donations to support these disasters and future disasters can be
made online at www.lcif.org/donate or by calling 630-468-6774.
Contact LCIF by e-mail at lcif@lionsclubs.org.
Thank you for your continued support
and dedication to our Foundation. As members, we all
belong to LCI, but LCIF belongs to us.
Sincerely,
Mahendra Amarasuriya
Chairperson, Lions Clubs International
Foundation
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| Posted
September 19, 2008 |
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Dear Fellow Lions,
This is the beginning of a great year
for Lions around the world. I would like to update you on recent
news in LCIF. I ask that you share this information with your club
and district to help promote LCIF.
Yours in Lionism,
Mahendra Amarasuriya
2008-2009 LCIF Chairperson
LCIF
Newsletter for August 2008 |
| Posted
August 25, 2008 |
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JIMMY M.
ROSS
PAST
INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENT
2007-2008
LCIF CHAIRPERSON
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Sent: Friday, May 23, 2008 11:07 AM
Subject: Update: LCIF Responds to China Earthquake
Dear Fellow Lions,
I would like to update you on
Lions Clubs International Foundation's and Lions' response to
the massive earthquake in China
on May 12.
LCIF and Lions around the world
are mobilizing more than US$2 million in funding and relief
supplies. Within 48 hours LCIF committed a major catastrophe
grant of US$500,000. Lions in District 381 Guangdong in mainland
China have raised more than US$450,000 and
relief material including food and medicine, Lions in District
380 Shenzhen in mainland China have raised US$250,000 & relief material of
US$200,000 and Lions in District 303 Hong Kong and Macau have raised US$160,000.
A team of 40 Lions from Districts
381 and 380 traveled to
Sichuan
province to assist with hands-on relief efforts and the
immediate and emerging needs of victims. The Lions are still in
the area, disbursing relief materials including tents, medicine
and food. Working with the Chinese Red Cross, Lions purchased 10
relief vehicles and ambulances.
An organizing committee comprised
of Lions from Districts 380, 381 and 303 and the China Council
of Lions Clubs has been formed in order to plan and coordinate
efficiently on the relief project. An immediate and long-term
relief plan is being developed by local Lions to involve four
stages: rescue, support, resettlement and reconstruction. Lions
are planning to establish Lions 'tent' cities using 800 family
size tents. Swedish Lions helped supply the tents and are also
contributing 3,000 blankets.
To support immediate and long-term
needs, Lions around the world are responding. A designated LCIF
account has been established to help channel donations for this
disaster. Donations can be made online at
www.lcif.org/donate noting Lions China
Earthquake Disaster Relief Fund in the comments section.
Lions of Ethiopia have donated $10,000; Chinese clubs in
Vancouver,
Canada expect to
collect $100,000; and Taiwan Lions have committed $50,000. Lions
in Brazil
have partnered with a local company to provide 7,000 blankets.
Many Lions are also helping by sharing this news with fellow
Lions and the media.
Frequent and massive aftershocks
have caused further damages and casualties from the tremor.
There remain significant and varying needs. As in past
large-scale disasters, Lions are on the ground now and are also
steadfastly committed to long-term relief and reconstruction.
Days, week and months from now Lions will continue to provide
aid. There is a great need for tents since many houses were
toppled in the quake and the rainy season has begun. Generators
and water purifying machines are also in urgent need and will be
well-utilized. Lions are using immediate funds to purchase these
items and are also requesting assistance to obtain these items.
Chinese Lions and victims of the earthquake know they can count
on Lions support to help as long as it takes to rebuild
structures and rebuild lives.
LCIF is in constant contact with
local Lions to determine the best immediate and long-term
response. These regular updates are being posted on the
LCIF Web site in order to keep Lions and the general public
up-to-date on the latest news and response efforts.
Lions and LCIF's efforts have not
gone unnoticed. News of the relief being provided has appeared
on AOL, Forbes, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Daily Herald and
several other national newspapers around the world, including
seven major daily papers in China.
LCIF and Lions in China thank you
for your continuous support for the victims in the affected
areas. LCIF and Lions are proving the international
humanitarian good we can accomplish together.
Together 'We Serve,'
Jimmy Ross
LCIF Chairperson
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| Posted
May 23, 2008 |
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Subject: Lions - LCIF's Response to the Chinese
Earthquake
Dear Fellow
Lions,
I want to
update you on LCIFs response to the devastating 7.9 magnitude
earthquake that struck central
China on Monday, May 12. LCIF is
mobilizing US$1.5 million to aid Lions-led relief efforts in China.
Lions and LCIF are already
responding to the
powerful, massive earthquake. Lions
in Hong Kong and Macau
have raised US$600,000 and LCIF has committed an initial grant
of US$500,000 to address immediate needs and provide medicines,
clothing, blankets, water purification and temporary housing.
Local Lions have already sent
5,000 tents for displaced victims, and more are on the way.
Through a vast network of Lions clubs members in Hong Kong and China, Lions and LCIF are also
dispatching relief teams to the affected areas to deliver
supplies and assist with hands-on relief efforts.
The Foundation expects donations
from Lions around the world to surpass US$400,000 in the first
week. Your donations will support both immediate and long-term
reconstruction efforts. Every dollar that you
donate will go directly toward the relief efforts in China. Please
visit the
LCIF Web site to contribute.
For more information about LCIFs
relief efforts for the Chinese earthquake, please view the
Foundations Web site. This page will continue to be updated
regularly with response efforts. Please distribute this release
to your local media.
Together, Lions can bring a sense
of hope and healing to those greatly affected by this disaster.
Yours in Lionism,
Jimmy M. Ross
Chairperson, LCIF
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| Posted
May 19, 2008 |
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Dear Fellow Lions,
I would like to update you on recent LCIF news.
This spring has brought many great achievements for our
Foundation. With surpassing the US$150 million
CSFII minimum goal, the onset of Convention 2008
and many other exciting happenings, there is a lot to be proud
of as a fellow Lion. Please share this information with your
club and district to spread the good will of LCIF.
LCIF Newsletter May 2008.
Yours in Lionism,
Jimmy Ross
LCIF Chairperson |
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Posted
May 12, 2008 |
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Sent: Friday, February 29, 2008 1:41 PM
Dear Fellow Lions,
I would like to update you on
recent news in LCIF. I ask that you share this information
with your club and district to help promote LCIF.
CSFII Surpasses Goal
Campaign SightFirst II has
surpassed the $150 million minimum goal. On
Worldwide Report Day February 20, National and
Multi-National Coordinators telephone calls and reports
revealed that Lions have raised more than US$157.9 million
for CSFII. With four months remaining, Lions are now looking
ahead to the additional challenge goal and helping ensure
the future of SightFirst through continued and expanded
efforts to eliminate preventable blindness worldwide. Lions
support of CSFII is crucial in the remaining months. Visit
the
CSFII
Web site for more information on the
campaign and fundraising ideas.
LCIF #1 NGO Ads Available
In a
special report released in July, LCIF was ranked the number
one non-governmental organization worldwide. From 34 global
organizations, LCIF came in first. As a result of the
ranking, LCIF has received a great deal of media coverage
and has also placed special ads in the New York Times, Wall
Street Journal and several other nationwide daily newspapers
around the world. These ads are available to
download
online for Lions to use in their local
newspapers as well. To localize the information, simply add
a local telephone number and club Web site. The
press
release of this announcement is also
online to share with your local media.
Milestone
in Trachoma Treatments
LCIF reached a major milestone in trachoma treatments
January 23 when LCIF Chairperson Jimmy Ross distributed the
10
millionth dose of azithromycin (Zithromax)
to 16-year-old Messeleche Tilahun. The antibiotic, donated
by Pfizer Inc, is a main strategy in the fight against the
blinding disease in poor, rural areas. Messeleche lives in
the Awi Zone in Ethiopia, the most trachoma-endemic part of
the country, where an estimated 18 million are at risk.
Representatives from The Carter Center, Lions clubs of
Ethiopia, Pfizer, the national trachoma program, government
of Ethiopia, and other partner organizations joined the
celebration and are a part of the coalition working toward
elimination of trachoma in the region by 2012. Lions in
Ethiopia have been integral to achieving remarkable results
in the country. The 10 millionth dose comes after just 18
months of full scale intervention and points toward meeting
the elimination target date. Through SightFirst, LCIF has
awarded numerous grants for
trachoma
control, outreach and training projects in
Ethiopia and elsewhere in Africa.
SightFirst
Grants Awarded
The SightFirst Advisory Committee Meeting
awarded
nine grants at its January meeting. This
included grant funding to continue the childhood blindness
project with the World Health Organization, which has
established 30 need-based centers around the world. Other
grants included cataract surgery campaigns, upgrading a
Lions eye hospital and establishing and equipping a teaching
hospital. A total of US$9,554,378 was awarded, US$3,580,708
of which represents grants from undesignated SightFirst
funds. The full list is available online.
Grants Approved for Lions
Quest
Seven
grants totaling US$364,872 were approved
at the January Lions Quest Advisory Meeting. The grants
enable Lions Quest programs to expand in countries currently
participating in the program or to begin the program in new
countries. Japan, Kenya, Canada and Turkey received grants
to implement and expand the program. Pakistan and Sri Lanka
became the newest countries to launch the program. The full
list of approved grants is online.
Lions Join Coalition
Lions Clubs International has
joined the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA)
as a sustaining member and partner to enhance the work of
local communities and help youth resist alcohol and other
drugs. Lions will support their mission to build stronger
capacity for anti-drug efforts through the 5,000 community
coalitions nationwide. Through Lions Quest, Lions can teach
youth how to avoid drugs and make responsible decisions. A
letter announcing the partnership was sent to the 500 other
organizations in the coalition encouraging these
organizations and communities to work with their local Lions
club on drug-free programs. LCIF also had a booth at CADCAs
annual convention this month, the largest
training conference in the U.S. for community coalition
activists and substance abuse professionals.
New Giving
Publication
A new publication, ForSight in Gift Planning, is available
to those Lions wishing to increase their support to LCIF. It
provides an overview of various donation programs, news
updates and stories of those helped through Lions
contributions. The publication is available
online
or by contacting
LCIF
Development Staff.
Increase
Your Support Through an MJF
Have you considered becoming a Melvin Jones Fellow or
extending your generosity through a Progressive Melvin Jones
Fellow? Fellows are a group of dedicated philanthropists who
have changed the lives of hundreds of millions of people
worldwide. To increase support for CSFII in the final
months, President Mahendra Amarasuriya has issued a
challenge to raise the number of Melvin Jones Fellows to
300,000 total. One Fellowship can save the sight at 167
individuals, each with a story, a family and a face. The
application form is available
online
or credit card donations can be made securely
online.
Cruise with
the Chairperson
Support LCIF while soaking up the sun in the Caribbean. Join
the LCIF Chairperson and fellow Lions from around the world
for the 9th annual LCIF Cruise, which will set sail November
9, 2008 for 12 nights in the southern Caribbean. The cruise
visits with local Lions in ports of call and there is a
special Melvin Jones Fellowship reception on board. All of
the cruises are open to the public and US$1,000 of every
cruise is tax deductible. The cruise has raised over
$300,000 for LCIF. To learn more about the cruise,
download
the brochure or email
lcifdevelopment@lionsclubs.org. Space
is limited.
Lions support and promotion
of LCIF is crucial. I thank you for your continued
dedication to LCIF.
Serving Through LCIF,
Jimmy M. Ross
Chairperson, LCIF
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Posted
March 2, 2008 |
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----- Original Message
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Sent: Wednesday, January 16, 2008 1:49 PM
Subject: Lions - Take the Lead: Pandemic
Flu-Working Together to Prepare Now
Dear Lion
Nelson,
I want to
tell you about an exciting new Lions partnership.
In July
2007, The International Association of Lions Clubs agreed to
help the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
disseminate information about large-scale or pandemic
influenza (flu).
This new
partnership includes my participation as one of four leaders
of national non-profit organizations to appear in
advertisements for HHS awareness campaign, Take the Lead:
Pandemic Flu-Working Together to Prepare Now.
Participation in this national public health campaign is an
honor for Lions clubs. This national campaign coincides with
our
Lions ALERT emergency preparedness program.
Last
century, there were three worldwide pandemic flu outbreaks.
Millions of people died. Unlike seasonal flu, humans have
little - if any - immunity to a pandemic flu virus. It takes
several weeks or months for public health officials to
identify a pandemic flu virus strain and develop a vaccine.
As
community leaders, we can participate in a pro-active
pandemic flu plan. Additional information about pandemic flu
appears on the HHS Web site:
www.pandemicflu.gov
and the United Nations World Health Organization (WHO) Web
site at:
www.who.org.
Lions from
several US communities recently met with HHS representatives
to discuss ways to develop pro-active pandemic flu plans. I
want to thank these Lions for representing the Association
and for eagerly agreeing to help in the development of a
pro-active pandemic flu plan.
Sincerely,
Jimmy M.
Ross
LCIF Chairperson
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Posted
January 16, 2008 |
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