Hurricane Katrina Update
LCIF Chairperson Clement F. Kusiak
    The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida is deeply troubling. Our hearts go out to those who are suffering and face an uncertain future. We are acutely aware of the struggle for clean water, food and shelter, to say nothing of the need to be able to return to work and school.
    LCIF will do all it can to help victims recover their lives. LCIF has awarded a US$200,000 Major Catastrophe Grant to help victims. I also have approved emergency grants for districts affected by the hurricane. Three US$10,000 emergency grants have been awarded for Districts 8-O, 8-S 8-I in Louisiana. I expect many emergency grants to be approved very soon when district governors are able to contact us.
    LCIF has set up a designated fund for Lions and others who wish to help the hurricane victims. Checks can be mailed to LCIF at 300 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, IL 60523, USA. Make the check payable to LCIF and indicate on the memo line that the donation is for Hurricane Katrina.
    All donations for Hurricane Katrina count toward a club’s and district’s giving totals. (Donations from U.S. residents also are tax deductible.) However, these donations are not eligible for Melvin Jones Fellowship recognition.
    As with other large-scale disasters, I am sure Lions are eager to assist victims in various ways besides donating funds. To help facilitate the expected volunteer efforts of Lions, with the approval of the executive officers, I have appointed a steering committee of four leading Lions from the four states most affected by the tragedy to serve as liaisons between LCIF, Lions in the disaster areas and Lions who want to help.

These four Lions are:

    * International Director Robert Eichhorn, 4301 St. Francis Street, Metairie, Louisiana, 
       70001, 337-237-7169 (temporary phone number), 504-525-7235 (business), 504-455-6951 
       (home), 504-525-7238, (fax), execdirector@llef.gs.net
    * International Director Howard Jenkins, 850 Mt. Vernon Road, Columbus, Mississippi, 
       39702, 662-328-2756 (home number and fax).
    * Past International Director Lowell Bonds, 1808 Hummingbird Lane, Hoover, Alabama, 
       35226, 205-322-6575 (business), 205-823-4941 (home), 205-328-3612 (fax),
       ljbonds@aol.com
    * Past International Director E. Robert Lastinger, 29743 Morwen Place, Wesley Chapel, 
       Florida, 33543, 813-994-9604 (residence), 813-994-0844 (fax), edbobl@earthlink.net.

    I have asked Past International Director Bonds to oversee the steering committee for the purpose of coordinating short-term and long-term assistance for the hurricane victims.
    Please keep in mind that they may difficult to reach, at least initially, because of disruption in services in the disaster areas as well as their heavy workload. Please keep trying to reach them.
    We are aware that in past disasters of this magnitude goods often are collected and shipped to a disaster area that are not needed and ultimately are not used. So please refrain from collecting items until more about immediate needs is known.
    You should also know that International President Ashok Mehta has issued a statement on the hurricane on the Lions’ Web site. Please take a minute to read his words of consolation and encouragement.
    Our thoughts and prayers are with those in the affected areas. Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide.

Yours in Service,
Clement F. Kusiak,
2005-2006 LCIF Chairperson