SAN PEDRO LIONS CLUB -- 82 YEARS OF COMMITMENT <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> January 13, 2005 Calendar January 13th - 7:00 pm - Board meeting - Wayne Bettis's Office, State Farm Insurance, 350 West 6th St., Suite 205, San Pedro, CA 90731 January 20th - No Noon Meeting. January 20th - 6:00pm - Community Recognition. Simon's Restaurant, 1050 Nagoya Way, Ports O' Call Village, San Pedro, CA 90731. January 22nd - 9:00am - Pancake Breakfast and Mobile Screening. Beacon House, 1003 S. Beacon St., San Pedro, CA 90731. January 27th - 6:30 pm - Tri Club meeting with the Harbor City/Lomita and Wilmington Lions Clubs. 6:30 pm Social. 7:00 pm dinner. Ante's Restaurant, 729 South Palos Verdes St., San Pedro, CA 90731. Community Recognition The Community Recognition Dinner has been moved to Simon's Restaurant, 1050 Nagoya Way, Ports O' Call Village, San Pedro, CA 90731. The dinner will be held on January 20th at 6:00pm. Please be sure to mark your calendar and attend this great annual ceremony and dinner. Lion Julie Nicosia, Chairperson of the Community Recognition Dinner, has been working hard to put together this event. Lion Annette Ciketic and Lion Mitch Young have pitched in to help with the dinner. They all can use your help and support to make this year's Community Recognition the best ever. LCIF Tsunami Relief Lions Clubs International is responding to the tsunami disaster in South Asia. The following is a 01/10/05 update from the LCIF web site. "Dear Fellow Lions, It was with great shock, disbelief and immense sadness that the people of the world have witnessed the horrific earthquake and tsunami disaster that has impacted millions across South Asia. Lions around the world have been contacting me to learn of LCIF's relief aid provided thus far, and also how they can support Lions in the region respond to this great tragedy. I am pleased to report that the tsunami disaster has prompted a tremendous outpouring of support from Lions around the world, and Lions in the affected countries are working day and night to bring life- saving supplies to victims. Thanks to Lions, lives are being saved and communities will be rebuilt. LCIF has awarded US$470,000 in grants to Lions in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Malaysia. This includes US$220,000 in emergency grants for Lions to secure and deliver food, water and blankets and a US$250,000 major catastrophe grant for longer-term relief. This Web site offers more complete account of the relief efforts of LCIF and Lions. You will be proud to learn of how important Lions have been and perhaps be even more motivated to offer your support. On behalf of Lions of South Asia, I humbly thank you for your interest and compassion. Sincerely, Dr. Tae-Sup Lee LCIF Chairperson What Lions/LCIF Are Doing Supported by LCIF, several thousand local Lions are now providing immediate relief aid such as food, water and clothing from the west coast of India to Thailand and south to Indonesia. Local Lions in hundreds of places are at the scenes of the disaster, helping to organize relief and ensuring that people get vital relief supplies. The service of Lions is enabling communities to take care of their children, elderly, those with disabilities and other especially vulnerable people. LCIF has awarded US$470,000 in grants to Lions in South Asia to support the relief initiatives. LCIF anticipates eventually mobilizing a multi-million dollar relief, recovery and reconstruction effort. LCIF will help rebuild communities as it helped rebuild in India after the earthquake in Gujarat by providing homes, schools and community centers. Lions throughout the world are making pledges of support, including US$120,000 from the Lions of Sweden and US$200,000 from the Lions of Korea. Lions in Japan will make a major pledge. Lions from elsewhere are gathering funds to support relief efforts. Hundreds of clubs and individuals also have sent funds to LCIF. The Vancouver Metropolitan Lions Club in Canada, for example, sent LCIF a check for US$6,600. Club President Raymond Wong told LCIF, "Everyday we saw on the news that the amount of casualties are increasing by the thousands. We share the same view of most Lions that we have to do something to support the unfortunate people who have to deal with this great tragedy. We hope this small token of donations can bring some immediate help to the people in those regions. In the meantime, I have taken the initiative to ask the other clubs in our district to support this great cause." The relief efforts of local Lions includes: In Sri Lanka, Lions are working 16 hours a day organizing relief and are a key partner of the government's relief agency and president. District 306-C, for example, sent 60 truckloads of food and supplies to relocation camps and is organizing the installation of tents at a new relocation camp in western Sri Lanka. In India, 20 Lions' ambulances and a team of 80 Lions volunteer medical doctors are providing first aid near Chennai. Nearly 70 clubs fanned out in the region from Parassalla to Haripad to distribute food and clothes at the relief camps. Lion-doctors conducted free treatment at relief centers. In Thailand, Lions in Bangkok have sent water tanks and trucks loaded with supplies to Phuket. Lions are working with government officials and relief agencies to provide for basic needs at relocation camps. In Indonesia, 30 clubs near Medan are providing logistical support for air shipments of aid to Bandh Acheh. Lions from nearby nations and other nations also have sent volunteer workers. The Taiwan Lions, for example, sent a medical team to Sri Lanka. LCIF provides immediate relief and long-term reconstruction after a disaster. LCIF is not only helping people stay alive after the tsunami but it also will rebuild communities for years to come. The real impact of LCIF's assistance to South Asia will be fully realized in the next several years as LCIF partners with Lions to rebuild homes, schools and community centers. This long-term approach plays to the strength of LCIF and Lions, who belong to their communities, understand local needs and know how to get things done." For further info visit the LCIF website at: http://www.lionsclubs.org/tsunami/