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Media Contact:
Nicole Brown, Communications Manager
Nicole.Brown@lionsclubs.org

Lions Hope for Haiti

Updated August 9, 2010
Lions Hope for Haiti is mobilizing nearly US$6 million. Lions Hope for Haiti is Lions and LCIF working together to provide relief and hope for the people of Haiti. Lions around the world are responding generously and quickly to the LCIF designated fund for this disaster.

Six hundred Haitian families are moving into new, temporary homes thanks to an initiative between LCIF, the Lions of MD111 Germany and HELP, an international non-governmental organization. This the first of many reconstruction rpojects to receive support from LCIF thanks to generous financial support of Lions worldwide following the devastating earthquake. Through the project, transitional homes will be erected directly on a family's plot of land, thus avoiding the hardship of further displacement.

Many of these individuals are those who were being sheltered in three Lions' tent cities in Delmas, Blanchard and Carrefour-Feuille that Haitian Lions helped to establish. Lions of Sweden provided 200 tents to establish the tent cities.

LCIF is leveraging Lions' donations through collaboration with other NGOs and corporations providing relief. To further relief efforts in Haiti, LCIF is reaching out to organizations in both Haiti and around the world. The International Organization of Migration has offered to provide supplies and assistance to Lions camps. LCIF is also partnering with the shipping company, Maersk, and the World Food Program, to ship tents donated by Lions of Sweden and food donated by the World Food Program, to Haiti free of charge. Additionally, the Foundation is in final discussions to partner with USAID and Catholic Relief Services.

Lions leaders and LCIF staff have visited the area several times, most recently in June and a return trip planned in Fall 2010, to help in developing long-term plans and assess ongoing needs.

The Lions of Haiti have formed a committee of Lions leaders for Haiti, Dominican Republic and neighboring countries to oversee the reconstruction efforts. Initial reports from the Lions of Haiti for long-term reconstruction focus on building a school and an ophthalmic clinic. This is similar to what Lions have been done for reconstruction following other catastrophes. Details will be finalized in the coming days, as Lions are currently focused on immediate needs.

Lions around the world are also assisting through generous contributions and other aid. The needs remain great, however. View a video message from Haitian Lion William Eliacin on the needs and Lions' response.

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. As an example, LCIF is still helping those in South Asia recover from the tsunami, Gulf States recover from Hurricane Katrina and China to rebuild following the earthquake. 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.

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. In 2007 LCIF was named the #1 non-governmental organization to partner with, a title our Foundation still holds today. Our Foundation has been added to several lists of reputable organizations assisting the area.

Please continue to check back regularly for updates. View photos of Lions relief efforts on Flickr.

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 U.S. dollar check drawn on a U.S. financial institution. 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, USA, 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.
• Complete the single or multiple donor disaster donation form.

For questions, please contact LCIF at donorassistance@lcif.org or (630) 203-3836. Board policy states that designated funds are not eligible for Melvin Jones Fellowship credit.Donors wishing to receive Melvin Jones Fellowship credit may wish to consider instead making a donation to the LCIF general fund. Un-designated donations for MJFs and PMJFs make up as much as 80 percent of the donations to the Foundation's general fund, which supports standard grants, emergency grants and major catastrophe grants. 

Donations from U.S. residents are tax deductible. Donations from residents of other countries are tax deductible as permitted by the individual's country tax laws.

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Lions Clubs International Foundation is the charitable arm of Lions Clubs International. Established in 1968, LCIF is committed to providing humanitarian services to those in need, including providing disaster relief, saving sight, supporting youth and combating disability. Each year, LCIF typically awards US$2 million in emergency grant relief funding. Learn more at www.lcif.org.