Lions Responding to New Zealand Earthquake
You have likely been following the news reports of the devastating earthquake in Christchurch, New Zealand. Much of the city is without water and sewerage systems and aftershocks continue. Thousands have been left homeless as a result of the destruction.
Lions have been providing assistance since the devastating earthquake February 22, and LCIF is providing $110,000 to help Lions in providing relief to their communities. If you’d like to help make the hope for a brighter tomorrow a reality for the people of New Zealand, the most effective and immediate way to help is through a designated donation to LCIF for New Zealand relief.
Since the quake, here’s what the Lions have been up to:
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Providing food, bedding and water
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Delivering 500 portable toilets to medical oganizations and households
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Going door to door in the suburbs with the Red Cross to find those who need assistance
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Providing grocery and fuel vouchers to families in need
- Volunteering at welfare centres in Christchurch and Timaru
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Distributing meals through a food caravan in Christchurch
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Assisting in door-to-door outreach, delivering food and helping with clean-up
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Organizing dinners for displaced families and housing for people in need
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Staffing two daily shifts at the Red Cross coordination office in Wellington
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Delivering a 40,000 litre tanker of fresh water to the suburbs of Christchurch
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Providing weekend breaks to families to escape from the city for two days
Lions in the area are committed to helping their neighbors, despite many being affected themselves. At an emergency meeting of the Earthquake Committee last night, there was one Lion who had damage to his house, his place of work was closed, he had no power, water or sewerage connections, yet was still attending a Lions meeting to see how he could assist the citizens of Christchurch. This exemplifies Lions' "We Serve" motto.
The Lions Club’s greatest asset is its volunteers- 1.35 million of them around the world. Wherever there is a need, there is a Lions club nearby, ready to respond with their hearts and hands. In the case of disasters, we are the first to offer help, and the last to leave. From New Zealand to Haiti to Pakistan, Lions are rebuilding homes and lives.
