GEORGE NEWS - When caring people join together, roll up their sleeves and take action to make their community better, it’s a beautiful thing - and an incredible feeling for everyone involved. That’s Lions.
“The above being said, it should come as no surprise that the Eden Lions again has volunteered their services during the Covid-19 crisis and will, as usual, commit to assisting local efforts to feed people from every corner of George who will affected by this pandemic,” said Eden Lions chairperson, Carl van Blerk.
“Being a Lion is about leading by example, building relationships and improving the world through kindness. It’s 1,4 million caring men and women serving together so they can make a lasting impact and change more lives. Lions serve. It’s that simple, and it has been since we first began in 1917.
"Our clubs are places where individuals join together to give their valuable time and effort to improving their communities, and the world,” says Carl van Blerk.
When a crisis occurs in the world, Lions are one of the first respondents on scene, partnering with local governments and municipalities to ensure that aid is delivered efficiently and timeously. Lions provide feet-on-the-ground with essential training in relief and even medical and rescue skills, as well as financial aid where required.
“This aid was evident when a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck the Indonesian island of Sulawesi on 28 September 2018, and triggered a tsunami. Other ongoing global projects undertaken by Lions Clubs International also involves millions of dollars being invested into key projects related to diabetes, hunger relief, childhood cancer, vision and the environment,” says van Blerk.
According to Van Blerk, the global Covid-19 pandemic has Lions clubs all mobilising to serve one single purpose.
“Covid-19 has touched everyone. Nearly 1 million people worldwide have been infected. We can’t forget the rest of the world who are battling economic ruin or hardships resulting from lockdowns and closed industries. Hunger and the effects of isolation are taking their toll as more and more people are finding it difficult to generate an income to feed their families and sustain their income,” he said.
With more than 48 000 Lions Clubs across the globe, many have taken hands with their local municipalities and governments to ensure more hands are available to address these real concerns. Disaster management departments, health and safety, social services and various other official offices have recognised the work done by Lions, especially as the Lions constitution is recognised worldwide as being transparent and reliable.
“It is a constitutional Lions obligation to ensure all funds raised from the public, is put back into the community via projects undertaken. No Lion is remunerated or receives any personal gain from their membership, therefore ensuring an honest and transparent organisation that communities across the world can rely on and respect,” says van Blerk.
The Swellendam Lions Club is already working with their local municipality in packing and providing food packages under strict health conditions during these times of need.
On the other side of the world, the Lions club of Southern Arizona as well as the Michigan State Lions Club work with the National Guard to put together and distribute food hampers during the coronavirus pandemic. A drop in the ocean, considering the many other thousands of Lions Clubs all doing the same, to ensure a better community for all.
If you would like to be part of the world’s largest service organisation, please send a WhatsApp to 082 826 0731 with your name.
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