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Our hearts and prayers are with those suffering in Indonesia and elsewhere as a result of the devastating earthquake on May 29. I know that Lions in the affected areas are doing all they can to help save lives and bring comfort to survivors. LCIF will help Lions as they meet immediate needs such as food and water and then as they respond to longer-term problems.
Two days after the earthquake, LCIF approved a US$150,000 Major Catastrophe grant. Lions in Indonesia are forming an earthquake committee to plan rebuilding projects.
LCIF also approved a US$10,000 Emergency Grant for District 307-B. Indonesian Lions are using the funds for basic needs such as food, medicine and other necessary short-term supplies.
Lions quickly responded to the disaster. Japanese Lions in Multiple Districts 330-337 are expected to make a large donation to LCIF to help the earthquake victims.
Indonesia is comprised of two Lions Districts: 307-A covers Sumatra, while 307-B covers Java, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi. MD-307 is comprised of 153 Lions clubs, with 4,414 members.
LCIF also set up a designated fund to help earthquake victims. The fund is called Indonesia Earthquake Relief - 2006. (Per LCIF policy, donations to a specific cause such as this earthquake are not eligible for Melvin Jones Fellowships.)
U.S. donors can:
· Mail a check in U.S. dollars to LCIF. Make the check payable to LCIF and write "Indonesia Earthquake Relief" in the memo field. Send the check to LCIF, 300 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, IL 60523, USA, Attn.: Donor Services.
· Make a credit card donation with a MasterCard, Visa or American Express by calling LCIF at 630-571-5466, ext. 517 or 554. Call between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CST.
· Non-Lions also can make donations for earthquake relief. U.S. dollar checks should be made payable to LCIF. LCIF issues a receipt for tax purposes for donations of US$20 and more. Or cash can be given to a club and the club can forward a check to LCIF. LCIF will issue a receipt for tax purposes for donations of US$20 or more and when the donor’s name and address is included.
Donors outside the United States can:
· Make a credit card donation with a MasterCard, Visa or American Express by faxing to LCIF the name of your credit card, credit card number, expiration date and amount of donation. 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 LCIF and write "Indonesia Earthquake Relief" in the memo field. 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. Specify "Indonesia Earthquake Relief" on the deposit slip and send a copy to LCIF via fax (630-571-5735).
· Do a direct wire transfer. For assistance with this option or the other donation options, contact Gerry Bara of LCIF Donor Services at gerard.bara@lionsclubs.org or by phone at 630-571-5466, ext. 581.
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