Lions Hope for Haiti mobilized more than $650,000 to date. Lions Hope for Haiti is Lions and Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF), the charitable arm of Lions Clubs International, working together to provide relief and hope for the people of Haiti. Following the devastating earthquakes, Lions around the world responded generously and quickly to the LCIF designated fund for this disaster. Donations are continuing to pour in from individuals, clubs and districts.

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. Al Brandel, Chairperson, LCIF and his wife, Dr. Maureen Murphy, led a team of 40 Dominican Republic Lions to deliver urgently needed supplies into Port au Prince, Haiti on January 22. Supplies will be distributed by Haitian Lions and Leos in a relief camp they have established.  They also met with local Lions to develop an immediate and long-term plan for assistance.

Lions around the world are also assisting:

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

• Tents from Lions in Sweden sent through the Swedish government are being set up by local Lions to provide housing for those who are now homeless as well as relief workers.

• 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 established a make-shift medical clinic, treating 600 people.

• Lions are contributing generously, some examples include: $100,000 from District 63, which includes several neighboring islands to Haiti; $86,000 from Lions in Norway; $20,000 from Lions in China; $14,000 from District 105-I, Ireland.

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 other disasters, Lions hope to rebuild homes and hospitals, redevelop the eye care delivery system, human resource support and provide help for disabled, including those disabled as a result of this disaster.

Those wishing to offer additional assistance in other forms than monetary donations, may post their offers of assistance or other available resources on the Lions 2 Lions web page: www.lionsclubs.org/lion2lion.

Donations can be made in confidence to LCIF, as 100 percent of every donation will 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 to partner with, a title our Foundation still holds today.

Donors can:

• Donate online at www.lcif.org/donate. Select Disaster and include “LCIF Haiti Earthquake Relief” in the comments section.

• Make a credit card donation with a MasterCard, Visa or American Express. Fax the following information to LCIF: name, address, phone number, credit card type, credit card number, expiration date, and amount of the donation. If you are a Lions member, please provide your clubs information. LCIF’s fax number is 630.571.5735.

• Mail LCIF a check. Make the check payable to Lions Clubs International Foundation, noting “LCIF Haiti Earthquake Relief” in the memo. Please send the check to LCIF, 300 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, IL 60523, Attn.: Donor Services.

• Make a direct deposit of local currency into an existing LCI account. Send a copy to LCIF via fax to 630.571.5735.

• Do a direct wire transfer. For assistance with this option please contact LCIF Donor Assistance at donorassistance@lcif.org.
For questions, please contact LCIF at donorassistance@lcif.org or 630.203.3836. Donations from U.S. residents are tax deductible.