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Greetings Lion Tian,
As the holiday season quickly
approaches, its a good time to reflect on the past couple of months and
celebrate our achievements. LCIF has marked 10 years of sight restoration in
China, provided sight to more than 10 million kids throughout Asia and is
celebrating 25 years of Lions Quest. In addition, LCIF has received a number of
significant contributions totaling more than US$2 million to help fund our
work worldwide. Our accomplishments are truly remarkable, but there is still
much to do in service for others. During this season of giving, I challenge
every Lion to think about those who are in need and answer their call through
contributing to our great Foundation.
Best regards,
Al Brandel
LCIF Chairperson
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High
Ranking for LCIF on Charity Navigator
An
updated review from Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator,
awarded LCIF four stars. The top ranking means that LCIF exceeds industry
standards and outperforms most charities in its cause. More than 5,400 of
America's largest charities are ranked on the Web site.
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Large Donations to LCIF Despite Global Recession
In late September, Lion Philip Stern, an attorney and Lions District Governor
in District 16-E, New Jersey, presented a US$95,000 donation to LCIF. The case
he won claimed that a debt collector unlawfully left messages for consumers
without making proper disclosures. At Stern's suggestion, the court approved a
US$95,000 award to LCIF. More recently, during a welcome reception and LCIF
seminar on October 26th in honor of LCIF Chairperson Al Brandel's visit, more
than 225 Lions from across The Republic of Korea presented their combined
2009-2010 pledge of more than US$1.25 million for LCIF. While it is the Lions
of Korea's tradition to present a pledge of donation to LCIF each year when the
LCIF Chairperson officially visits Korea, this pledge was more than three times
the amount usually pledged.
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Disaster
Update
LCIF and Lions have responded to a
number of large-scale disasters recently.
The Philippines, Samoa and Indonesia have all been affected by natural
disasters ranging from earthquakes to typhoons.Updates and other details about LCIF and Lions relief efforts are posted on-line.
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Lions Celebrate
World Sight in Czech Republic
Lions marked World Sight Day in Prague on Thursday, October
8. Typically held the second Thursday of October, the annual event is now in
its 10th year and has become an international event of Vision2020.
With SightFirst funding from Lions Clubs International Foundation, Lions
partnered with Prima Visuz and local ophthalmologists to provide free vision
screenings to 125 kindergarten children on Lions World Sight Day at two schools
in Prague.
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Forging
New Partnerships, Strengthening Established Ones
A new partnership with The Clinton Global Initiative
will work with LCIF and Lions
on a cataract initiative in Peru. In total, 7,500 cataract surgeries are to be
performed within the Lima metropolitan area. In addition to fostering new
relationships with organizations, LCIF is working to strengthen and expand
existing partnerships. The partnership with Special Olympics was extended for
12 months through a US$1,000,000 grant to continue the Lions-Special Olympics Opening Eyes Program. LCIF's partnership with The
Carter Center was also recently extended to
continue work with sight restoration in Latin America and Africa.
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China
Earthquake Reconstruction Update
Lions marked the year-and-a-half anniversary of the earthquake in
Sichuan
Province of China with the official dedication of the Peng Hua Lions
Village.
LCIF Chairperson Albert Brandel and his wife Dr. Maureen Murphy, Second
Vice
President Dr. Wing-Kun Tam and Lions from China, Hong Kong & Macau
participated in the dedication, handing over the keys to 80 newly
constructed
homes. The Foundation has awarded more than US$3 million for
reconstruction projects in the area, and Chinese Lions contributed
financially
to the rebuilding. Lions provided housing, but also helped rebuild the
entire
village, which was leveled during the earthquake.
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Tis the Season for Giving
The
upcoming holiday season is a perfect opportunity to give back to those who need
humanitarian aid most around the world. By contributing to LCIF you are making
a commitment to better the life of someone, somewhere.
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New Issue of
Sight Publication Available
The newest edition of the LCIF publication ForSight is now available on-line. Stories, news
updates and recently approved grants are all included in the bi-annual
publication.
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Grants
Awarded at Board Meeting
At the September 28, 2009 Board of
Directors meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, 46 grants were approved totaling
US$3.1 million for humanitarian projects worldwide. The complete listing of
approved grants is on-line.
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Braille Illiteracy Increases
Unemployment among Blind
Lions
have long been advocates for the blind by increasing awareness in communities around
the world. One crisis that is in desperate need of attention is Braille
illiteracy. Only one in 10 blind children learns Braille today. As illiteracy
increases, so does unemployment of the blind. Visit the National Federation for Blind Web site to learn more.
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