When Hurricane Fiona hit the West Coast of Newfoundland in September 2022, the Channel Port-aux-Basques Lions Club sprang into action. Despite having no prior experience with disaster relief efforts for events like hurricanes, they quickly united as a dedicated team, providing crucial support and a pillar of strength for their community. Below are the club’s thoughts on the project and its impact:
Q: What was the motivation behind organizing your club’s service project? Was there a specific event or need in your community?
A: Hurricane Fiona devastated the West Coast of our province, leaving many people without homes and displacing countless others. In response, the Channel Port-aux Basques Lions Club assisted 150 families in need, The club stepped up to serve as a warming center for the entire community, offering vital resources such as food, clothing, personal hygiene items, and anything else our neighbors required during this challenging time.
Q: Who directly participated in the project, and what help did the project receive from other clubs, organizations and members of the community?
A: We were fortunate to receive US$232,000 in support from Lions clubs across Canada, in addition to the essential supplies needed to help our community navigate day-to-day life. Our local Lions dedicated themselves tirelessly, working around the clock for 8-10 weeks straight. The outpouring of help was truly remarkable—Lions from all over Canada, along with fellow clubs in our district, traveled to our area to offer their support. Our local community also stepped up in incredible ways, with volunteers coming in to cook meals, offload trucks (including a group of young hockey players who arrived at 10 p.m. to help unload a transport truck full of supplies) and assist with logistics. Aid also came from the Red Cross and various financial institutions.
All the resources and support were coordinated through our Lions club, with President Brad overseeing the trucks and dispatch operations, Lion Edna Sheaves—at 84 years old and with over 50 years of service—leading the kitchen team, and council chairperson Valerie Clarke, along with Rod Beaton, overseeing the overall operation. This wasn’t a one-person effort; it was a collective, community-driven response, with people from all over Canada coming together to serve. As Lions, we are always ready to help where there's a need, and in this time of crisis, we truly embodied the spirit of service. In recognition of our efforts, Prime Minister Trudeau visited our club, shaking hands with each of our Lions and personally thanking them for their selfless service.
Q: How did your club quickly mobilize resources to support the disaster relief efforts?
A: We made sure to use every available resource to get the word out. We leveraged platforms like Facebook, CBC Radio, CBC Television and other local stations, which featured daily articles and updates. As the news spread, the requests for interviews and filming of the disaster relief efforts poured in. Our past district governor stepped up as the voice of our Lions, making the two-hour drive once a week for an entire year to represent District N3 and ensure that our efforts were seen and heard.
Q: How did your club organize the project? Did you utilize resources from Lions International or other external sources?
A: This was a first for our club, but we knew the people in our community needed our help. Despite being displaced ourselves, we didn’t hesitate to step up and support others. Our focus was clear: how can we help those around us? The need was unlike anything we had ever seen. President Brad captured it best when asked to describe the experience: “It felt like being in a fictional disaster movie—something you might expect in a war-torn country.” The devastation was beyond belief. Our water supply was shut off, homes were swept away by the sea, debris was scattered everywhere and chaos reigned.
Lions from across Canada rallied to our side. We tapped into every resource we had to bring in as much support as possible. Residents, Lions clubs from our district and multiple districts, churches, businesses from all over our island of Newfoundland, and even trucking companies all came together. If it was needed, we found a way to make it happen.
Q: What were the outcomes of your service project? What impact has it had on the community, and did it achieve the results your club expected?
A: Our Lions club spent nearly two years—from the onset of Hurricane Fiona on September 25, 2022 to July 2024—focused on finding ways to assist those affected. Throughout this period, our club became a cornerstone of support for our community, playing a vital role in helping people recover from the devastation. Over time, our local community came to fully appreciate the importance of the Lions club in times of crisis. We are proud to say our efforts made a real difference, and our community has consistently expressed their gratitude for the help and support we provided.
To learn more about our 2023-24 Kindness Matters Service Award winners, please visit our website.
Humia Samad is a program specialist for Lions Clubs International.
