Lions of District 29 I,
Many of you are aware of the widespread power outages and the two feet or more of
heavy, wet snow that fell in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Some of our nearby
neighbors are still without power since Monday, October 29. One of our local Lions
reported today that he is using $300.00 of gasoline alone per week just to run his
generator.
Districts I and N have been the hardest hit in the state. Counties in District 29 I that I am
aware of that have been affected by the storm include Grant, Tucker, Randolph, Barbour,
and Upshur. There may even be others that I have no knowledge of their losses. Many
people in these counties lost food due to power outages and the local food pantries are
struggling to provide enough food for those in need of their services. Some homes have
been damaged due to downed trees, and others are in need of funds in order to be able to
heat their homes.
Many of our Lions have contacted the four District Governors of West Virginia wanting
to know what they can do to help our local citizens in their time of immediate need. The
District Governors have decided to use part of the funds available in the First Response
Fund. Each District Governor has access to $1,000 each to begin providing immediate
relief to hardest hit areas in our state. District L gave their share to District I, and District
O gave their share to District N. We are asking our Lions in the areas that have been
hardest hit by this storm to help us determine the needs in their area.
If your club or club members wish to contribute to this relief effort in District 29 I, you
may do so by sending a check made payable to “District 29 I” stating that the money
be used for the “WV Disaster Relief” effort. Please send your donations to Cabinet
Secretary/Treasurer P. Doug Long, P. O. Box 988, Fort Ashby, WV 26719.
Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF) has committed $200,000 towards relief to
those hardest hit in those states along the East Coast. Lions and Lions Clubs may wish
also to send their donations to the LCIF Disaster Relief Fund.
It has been brought to my attention as to whether the District Governors have approached
LCIF for relief funds. All four of the District Governors agreed that we would rather see
LCIF help those in New York and New Jersey and other areas that were nearly destroyed
by this disaster. Even though West Virginia has suffered some damages, our problems
are minor compared to our other neighbors along the East Coast.
If you wish to send a donation to this relief effort, I encourage you to do so immediately.
If you wish to help out in some other way, do not hesitate to do so. Thank you in
advance for your concern and please remember…………..
We Are Lions and LIONS DELIVER!!!
DG BARBARA FISHEL
District 29 I
