Dear Lion,

Maureen and I have just returned from Haiti where we led a team of Lions and Leos to distribute relief supplies. It brought tears to our eyes to witness the despair of the people, but Lions are committed to meeting these needs in the days and years ahead.

I'd like to first thank all of you for your tremendous generosity. Lions Hope for Haiti mobilized more than US$1.5 million.  By the time you receive this message, I'm sure it will be even more.

While in Haiti, we met with local Lions to discuss immediate needs and long-term reconstruction. They appointed a committee and are discussing long-term relief efforts.

The Foundation is partnering with the Lions of Sweden to provide 200 large tents to house those who are now homeless as well as relief workers. Haitian Lions established three tent cities in the Port au Prince area, where they are focusing their immediate relief efforts. This weekend, Lions delivered additional relief supplies from the Dominican Republic.

We have launched a Haiti section on the Lions Web site, with photos, video and other news. As we receive additional information, we will continue to add it to the Web site.

If you haven't already done so, I ask you to consider making a donation to LCIF to support this disaster. Lions in Haiti appreciate your support and are anxious to serve.

Zone Chairperson William Eliacin's  initial desperation turned to hope and gratitude for the people of Haiti when he learned of the great outpouring of support from Lions around the world.

He said, "We want to show the Lions and the Haitian people in general that the Lions Club is an extraordinary organization, that we are here and that our motto is, "We Serve". We serve our peers, we serve our brothers who are in need. That is why we are here. So I am appealing to you. You can count on us to achieve as much as we can with your contribution to help those who are in need."

You can donate in confidence to LCIF, as 100 percent of every donation will go directly to Haiti relief. Through LCIF, Lions around the world are helping those most in need.