By Susan DeRemer
During times of natural disasters, Lions Clubs rise to the challenge. As hurricane Florence battered the Carolinas and produced record amounts of rain, Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) was ready to provide Emergency Grants in both states.
Beyond the local service projects Lions are known for, Lions are able to ask for help from LCIF in the form of $10,000 grants to provide immediate assistance to their communities following a natural disaster, rather than collecting and distributing funds over a period of weeks or months. LCIF relies on their members to know first-hand what their community needs; letting them purchase and distribute necessities, such as food, water, clothing, blankets, first-aid items, and cleaning supplies.
In addition to Emergency Grants, LCIF is also able to offer Community Recovery Grants of up to $20,000 to support short-term cleanup and repair efforts in situations where other organizations have already addressed immediate needs.
The Santa Monica Lions are proud to be affiliated with LCIF, a Charity Navigator 4-star rated charity since 2011. If you want to make an immediate impact to those affected by hurricane Florence, please consider making a donation either online at LCIF.org or by mail. 100% of all money donated will go to the families in need.
If you prefer to help others locally, attend the Santa Monica Lions 64th Annual Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, September 29 at the Santa Monica Boys and Girls Club on Lincoln between 7:30 – 11 a.m. Start your day fluffy pancakes, scrambled eggs, delicious sausage, orange juice, coffee and milk. Want to add a bit of fun – participate in our raffle of fun prizes you get to select, or for children, we have games, a bounce house, balloon animals and face-painting. Tickets are only $5 and the money raised is used to support nonprofits in Santa Monica and the Westside.
To learn more about Lions Clubs International and the Santa Monica Lions, you are welcome to attend a lunch meeting on the 1st or 3rd Thursday of each month. Please contact Yoriko Fisher at santamonicalion@gmail.com. Our meetings are held at the Elks Lodge on Pico, between 10th and 11th Streets at 12:15 p.m.
