LCIF established the South Asia Tsunami Disaster Relief Fund (#5105) for Lions, clubs, districts and others to assist relief efforts by Lions. The funds are supporting immediate needs such as food and water and will support long-term reconstruction needs.

U.S. donors can:

• Mail a check to LCIF. Make the check payable to LCIF and write “tsunami 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.

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 “tsunami 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 “LCIF tsunami 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 gbara@lionsclubs.org or by phone at 630-571-5466, ext. 581.

Since this is a donation to a specific initiative, it is not eligible for Melvin Jones Fellowship recognition. The main purpose of the MJF program is to encourage and recognize Lions who donate unrestricted funds to LCIF to support all of the foundation's grant program and to provide for our annual funding. Allowing MJF recognition for donations to a specific disaster could cause a sharp drop in unrestricted donations and could impact LCIF’s ability to fund its many programs.

However, donations for tsunami relief are counted toward an individual’s and a club’s cumulative giving totals to LCIF, which help qualify an individual and club for various recognition programs. Individuals and clubs who make significant donations will be posted on this Web site, and all donors will receive recognition in special reports in the near future.

Note that LCIF is unable to accept offers of goods such as blankets, clothing or food. It is not logistically feasible for LCIF to process and transport such donations.