A massive tornado struck Kansas, USA, on Friday, May 4 during a weekend of violent storms across the Plains that killed at least 12 people statewide.

Little remains standing in Greensburg, a town of 1,500 residents. The tornado demolished every business on the main street, City Hall and the high school. Churches lost their steeples, trees were stripped of their branches and neighborhoods were flattened. Officials estimate as much as 95 percent of the town was destroyed and most of the city’s residents have been evacuated to shelters in schools and other facilities in nearby towns.

Lions and LCIF are already responding to the disaster. Throughout Kansas, Lions are aiding in the search for victims, cooking, disbursing vouchers and helping with clean-up. LCIF has granted $25,000 for immediate needs, like clothing, food and medicine. Local Lions are working in coordination with the Red Cross to distribute $50 vouchers for immediate use and have distributed 700 vouchers to date.

Lions around the world are also responding. Lions of Florida have pledged $1,000. District K-1 in Kansas loaded up a motor coach with food and provisions and headed for Greensburg to cook burgers for the volunteers and assist in relief efforts. The Chanute Evening Lions Club and Chanute Branch Club each pledged $500.00 and have challenged every club in District K-1 to also pledge $500. The Lions ALERT team in District 18-E, Georgia, is planning to collect goods to send to the Greensburg Lions. Lions in Kansas City are organizing a golf tournament to benefit Greensburg residents. Local Lions have received donations from Lions total $11,000 and the Kansas Foundation has received an additional $17,000 in donations from Lions.

Moving forward, local Lions are developing a plan for long-term assistance for those residents without insurance or who were under-insured.

Because so many Lions have asked how they can help, a Greensburg, Kansas, Tornado Disaster Relief Fund has been established. The funds continue to support immediate needs as well as assist in long-term rebuilding efforts. Donations from U.S. residents are tax deductible.

U.S. donors can:

• Mail a check to LCIF. Make the check payable to LCIF and write "Greensburg, Kansas, Tornado" 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 581. Call between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CST.

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 "Greensburg, Kansas, Tornado" 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 "LCIF Greensburg, Kansas, Tornado" 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 LCIF Donor Services at lcif@lionsclubs.org or by phone at 630-571-5466, ext. 404.

To offer on-site assistance, contact PDG Bob Courtney, who is establishing a camper command post in Haviland, about 25 miles from Greensburg. Bucklin Lions Club secretary Denise Stout is coordinating volunteer staff to help PDG Bob. Bob’s cell number is 620-770-2167 or Denise can be reached at 620-826-9829.  

For more information on how you can help local Lions, contact District Governor Denny Smith at 620-356-5879 or e-mail Ddsmith2@pld.com.