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 Dear Lion
MICHAEL,
When disaster strikes, Lions respond. This was the case when Japan
was struck last month by its worst natural disaster. Lions around the
world were ready to be a Beacon of Hope by providing hands on service
to shed some light in a time of darkness. Of course, taking quick
action when faced with natural disasters is nothing new for
Lions. When a destructive earthquake struck Christchurch, New
Zealand, just weeks earlier, Lions were at the ready.
In Haiti, where the 2010 earthquake has caused widespread suffering,
the presence of native and visiting Lions "on the ground"
makes Lions Clubs International one of the most trusted groups
providing aid to the population. In fact, the respect garnered
by Lions in response to this crisis has resulted in the chartering of
a new Lions Club in Haiti.
Our motto is "We Serve" and we do just that. Our service
can make the difference between prolonged suffering and an immediate
start toward recovery. Quick, hands-on action in response to a
devastating earthquake in China, Hurricane Katrina in the U.S. A.,
and the 2004 South Asia tsunami have made LCI one of the world's
leading non-governmental organizations in responding to natural
disasters.
That is a fact in which we can all take great pride, but we must also
remember that every day in tens of thousands of communities around
the world Lions are serving in ways that may be quieter, but no less
heroic.
Lions provide more and better service to communities and the world
which means More Lions and more Lions Clubs are needed.
Best wishes,
Sid L. Scruggs III
International President
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Global Service Action
Campaigns
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Protecting Our Environment
Crippling natural disasters like the ones in Japan, New
Zealand and Haiti show how much we human beings depend on our
environment -- both the natural environment and the one we have
created for ourselves.
They also show that Lions know how to take direct action
that makes the world a better place.
By participating in the this year's fourth and final
Global Service Action Campaign
--Protecting our Environment -- Lions in
your club and district can help make your local environment a better
place to live. Hands-on steps Lions can take this month
include:
Planting trees or flowers.
Helping to build a safe drinking water system.
Organizing a beach or riverbank clean-up project.
Conducting community-wide clean-up projects.
Removing debris from a nature trail.
Organizing a roadside clean-up.
Cleaning up a park or playground.
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Beacon of Hope
Highlights
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Relieving the Hunger
Lions in more than 50 countries mobilized to help feed hungry people
in December 2010 and January 2011. Lions provided food directly
to more than 7 million people worldwide through 138,000 volunteer
hours devoted to nearly 2,000 projects.
Finish Strong
Lion leaders can end your year on a high note by ensuring that your
district qualifies for a Light Keeper Award. Encourage Lions to
complete one additional Global Service Action Campaign and report
their activities by April 30 using the Service Activities Report.
See the Lions Clubs International website for all information about
qualifying for the Light
Keeper Awards.
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On the Horizon
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Following club elections this month it is crucial that
clubs submit the Lions Clubs Officer Reporting Form to
international headquarters by May 15. Doing so ensures that
your club will continue to receive important news, materials and
announcements from Lions Clubs International.
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