My Dear Fellow Lions
and Leos,
I am deeply humbled
by the generous outpouring of support from Lions worldwide to
my call last week to donate funds to the Foundation's Japan
Relief Fund. Already, LCIF has received
donations or commitments exceeding US$6
million, including US$3 million that the Lions of Japan
are working to raise themselves during their own crisis.
Again, it's so very humbling to see such compassion by the
network of caring Lions and Leosworldwide.
I thank all who have already donated from the bottom of
my heart.
With the expected
death toll now exceeding 18,000 and rising, the devastation is
clearly greater than anyone could have imagined. And more than
400,000 people are still in shelters, in the cold, often going
without a hot meal for days on end.
Now that the roads
have re-opened, Lions from all over Japan are sending relief
aid from every corner of the country -- 30 tons of rice is
being sent from Sapporo, US$50,000 worth of baby formula from
Hokkaido, and women's health products from the southern area
of Shikoku - all through the Lions network in
Japan. Within a day of the disaster, many
courageous clubs distributed 20 tons of food, water and
emergency supplies, despite great risks and challenges to
themselves. Even our Lions blue-colored Lions relief tents are
being delivered to give shelter for Lions volunteers and other
relief workers in the hardest-hit areas.
To distribute the
aid effectively, the Lions of Japan quickly set up four Lions
relief aid warehouses in affected areas. Lions are
coordinating relief aid distribution with local government
officials and with the Japanese Red Cross. As a result, Lions
are helping coordinate blood donation campaigns within
Japan.
As you know, we have
31 Lions clubs in Sendai - the largest city
affected by the quake - and nearly a club in every town up and
down the coastline. Whether it's clothes
and food today, or shelter next week, or a wheel chair the
week after, Lions will be there to give dignity to those who
have suffered such unimaginable pain and suffering.
While many of you
have already generously donated, for
which I am very thankful, please encourage your fellow Lions,
Leos and friends to also donate. Please know that every
donation will be put to careful use, and 100 percent will go
to the cause. Also, donations received
between March 11 and June 30, 2011 will be eligible for Melvin
Jones Fellowships.
I am again humbled
by your generosity to date. The Lions of
Japan have always been there for the rest of us in times of
need. So I am proud of you, and never
prouder to be a Lion, when we come to their aid in the wake of
this historic, awful tragedy.
With my cordial
regards,
Eberhard J.
Wirfs
Chairperson, Lions
Clubs International
Foundation | 
