LCIF Sept 11 Central Steering Committee Chair PID Robert Klein MD20 Sept 11 Steering Committee Chair PCC John Wargo Region I Coordinator PID Al Brandel Region I Co-Chair PCC Angelo Purcigliotti

MD20 LIONS WTC Disaster Victims Assistance Program www.md20lions.com Newsletter Volume 3, Issue 1

It has been 19 months since the tragic events of September 11th, and the Lions of MD20 are still actively involved in providing relief assistance to the many victims of this disaster. To date, approximately 50% of the nearly $3.5 million dollars raised by Lions around the world has been disbursed or committed. In addition to the projects and grants discussed in the December 2002 MD20 Magazine, recent activities include:

District Coordinators 20-O Lion Ed Budd

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20-R1 PDG Maybelle Twohie

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20-R2 Lion Andres Mercado

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20-R2 Lion Nilsa Moreno

! Region I Co-Chair PDG Joe Farber

! District Coordinators 20-K1 PDG Leroy Foster 20-K2 PDG Tom DiIorio 20-S

PDG Charles Burton

Region II Coordinator PID Dr. Edward Cordes District Coordinators 20-N Lion M.J. Stillman

April 2003

obtaining a $20,000 grant to help residents in Chinatown, New York City (literally blocks from the WTC site) disbursing over $300,000 in financial assistance to victims, including workers of restaurants and hotels at the WTC site conducting two recent camp programs; one in Putnam Valley in December 2002, and one in New Hempstead in early March 2003 funding a series of upcoming camping programs called “Finding New Hope”, and an additional camp experience at Camp Sunshine in Maine. Program dates and details will be discussed in more detail within this newsletter partnering with other agencies on various outreach opportunities for camps and extended family activities

Please visit our website at http://www.md20lionswtcrelief.com/ for more details on these activities, Also, please stop by the special informational booths we’re setting up on Friday and Saturday (May 2nd & 3rd) at the MD20 Convention in Buffalo. The Lions of MD20 are continuing to make a difference. This would not be possible without the help of the many volunteer leaders throughout the state, too numerous to mention in this article. Opportunities for additional, hands-on volunteer service still exist, particularly with regard to localized extended family requests and future camp dates. To sign up, please contact your District Governor or District Coordinator. Thank you for making a difference………PCC John Wargo

20-E1 ID John Rabideau 20-E2 DG Bob Mizzoni

Inside this issue of the WTC Victims Assistance Newsletter...

20-W Lion Thomas Ham

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20-Y1 PDG Paul Weber 20-Y2 VDG Dick Ralston Newsletter Editor PDG Dr. Paul Weber Website Development PCC John Wargo

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Update on Financial Assistance to Victims - how we continue to help those most affected by the 9/11 events... Camping experiences for Victims Families - a review of our successes and a preview of more to come... The Extended Family Program & Lions Service Corps - a current update on how your club can directly help those in need... Press Releases to be inserted in your local media - spread the word on how Lions are involved, how we can help...

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MD20 LIONS WTC Disaster Victims Assistance Program

An Overview of Relief Efforts and LCIF Grants as of 03/01/03: submitted by the LCIF Steering Committee Introduction: In the year since September 11th, the response of LCIF and Lions in the effected communities has grown significantly, moving from immediate recovery efforts into longer-term victim assistance programs. Of the $3,211,733 total LCIF funds raised ($3,081,733 donated by Lions worldwide, $10,000 LCIF general grants) almost $1,500,000 has been allocated up through March, 2003. Moreover, a long-term grants program and various projects are now place to respond to the victims’ needs for 2003 and beyond. The following provides a brief overview of the relief efforts of Lions and LCIF from the initial recovery phase to the present. Phase I: Rescue and Recovery Phase: From September 11th through early 2002, much of the Lions relief activities focused on the immediate recovery phase, particularly at the disaster sites. At Ground Zero, LCIF funding enabled the Lions to purchase nine modular warming stations and offices for the rescue workers ($90,000). These were especially helpful during the cold winter months; one was even used to shelter the canine rescue dog teams. Each unit had a large Lions logo and one was stationed near the public viewing stand. When the clean up at Ground Zero ended, two of the modular units were donated the regional FEMA task force for permanent emergency use and the seven others were distributed to Lions camps in New York, New Jersey and Virginia. Additionally, LCIF funds were used to provide protective gear, such respirators and protective boots, and rescue equipment for more than 420 relief workers at the Ground Zero site using $200,000 from the LCIF September 11th fund. The Lions of Virginia and Maryland responded in a similar fashion, providing rescue gear, food and all sorts of supplies to the Pentagon recovery teams. This was funded with a $10,000 LCIF grant and supplemented with thousands of dollars in donated items solicited by local clubs. Perhaps more important than the LCIF funding was the hands-on volunteer efforts of Lions during the recovery phase. For more than six months, the Lions from the northeast USA and as far away as England provided the manpower to staff the warehouse providing supplies to Ground Zero workers. Even the Lions of Virginia and Maryland drove up to the warehouse in New York. Several Lions also worked directly at Ground Zero, including Lion Dr. Maureen Murphy, wife of PID Al Brandel, who provided medical help. There were many requests for help during the recovery phase that would have fallen through the cracks if not for Lions – such as when 250 USA flags were needed for internment of the dead as they were escorted from ground zero. Lions of course made sure that need, and countless others, was taken care of. Phase II: Short-Term and Immediate Victims Assistance Phase: As Lions aided the rescue workers, efforts were also begun to meet the immediate needs of victims. For example, the New York Lions developed the Extended Family Program to link clubs with victims in need of volunteer or emotional support, a program that was also adopted by the Lions in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Jersey and down by the Pentagon by the Lions of Virginia and Maryland. The stories of Lions aiding victims in personal ways are particularly heart-warming. In Massachusetts, a Lion in the gardening business helped a widowed spouse learn how to take care of her deceased husbands greenhouse, which was his passion. It was her way of memorializing his life. Countless other acts of kindness were provided by Lions, including everything from training spouses on using a computer to filling out claim forms. Continued on next page...

Volume Volume 3, 3, Issue Issue 11

Page Page 33

LCIF Overview, continued… Short-term financial aid for victims has also been part of Lions response during this initial phase. Over 90 claims of almost $250,000 has been distributed to individual victims who had fallen through the cracks, or whose funding from the Red Cross had run out prior to government claims being awarded. 80 claims are still under review. The short-term cash assistance provides payment of one-time bills for rent, mortgage, tuition or other needs while other assistance is sought. Lions screening committees in each of the affected multiple districts review the claims and supporting documentation to determine eligibility, before funds are forwarded from LCIF. This work continues, though the number of requests is leveling off. Phase III: Long-Term Victim Assistance Programs: For the last six months, the Lions in the affected states have initiated several projects to address the longer-term emotional health of victims. One of these was a series of camps for 9/11 victims in New York and Maine held in July and August 2002 with a grant of $197,000 from the LCIF September 11th fund. The camp in New York, known as the Little Heroes of 9/11 Camp, catered to 100 children who lost a parent. Over four camping sessions, groups of 25 children participated in camping programs in the day and special art therapy activities in the evening. They did everything from building a totem pole to staging their own theatrical shows. Many of the children told their counselors that being kids like themselves, dealing with same emotions, was very helpful. For the first time in nearly a year, they felt less stigmatized and, if only for one week, they also experienced the fun of being a kid again. The same experience was true in the camping program held in Maine this past July, at Camp Sunshine. Known as the "Ray of Hope Week," this special retreat catered to 97 victims from 29 families who lost a loved one. Most were widowed spouses and their young children. As with the camp in New York, the participants enjoyed building friendships with others who are dealing the same anguish and sorrow, giving many a sense of encouragement that tomorrow may a little better than today. At both camps, Lions were actively involved in various activities, whether serving food in the cafeteria or greeting campers and their families as they arrived. Based on the success of the two camping programs, LCIF has allocated $400,000 for a series of similar victim retreats in 2003. These will include a repeat of the camping program in New York for up to 150 children, a weekend camp for families, a children’s camp in another state such as Virginia, and a camp for persons who were disabled as a result of 9/11. Another event is also being planned at Camp Sunshine in Maine. In addition to victim retreats, the Lions September 11 Central Steering Committee has also developed a grant program to fund long-term victim assistance programs. The grants are available up to $100,000 and above to fund programs that provide job counseling and training, trauma and counseling services, and other needed services for victims. These grants can be applied for by Lions and partnering agencies to provide long-term services for groups of victims. The planning and identification of Lions’ current and future 9/11 programs is being guided by the Lions September 11th Central Steering Committee. Comprised of 16 Lions from the seven states directly affected by the disaster, the committee meets regularly to plan activities and advise LCIF on allocating the 9/11 funding. It’s a volunteer committee with members giving of their own personal time and resources. Much has been accomplished thus far, yet much more will need to be done in the coming months and years. The Lions know from other disaster relief programs that the needs of victims will persist for years. Long after images of the disaster fade from the news, the Lions will be there to provide a helping hand or a shoulder to lean on.

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MD20 LIONS WTC Disaster Victims Assistance Program

Press Release #1: Frequently Answered Questions Regarding Lions involvement with the victims of 9/11/01 Since the tragedy of 9/11/01, Lions from all around the world have been active in helping the victims and their families. Through LCIF (the Lions Clubs International Foundation - the charitable arm of Lions Clubs International) many significant programs have been instituted, carried out and planned for the future. The following “frequently asked questions” will help to define the dedication to helping others best illustrated in the motto of Lions Clubs International - ”We Serve.” How much was donated to LCIF for Sept. 11? About US$3,211,733 has been contributed to LCIF’s Sept. 11 Disaster Relief Fund. This includes US$130,000 from LCIF. Japanese Lions were particularly generous as they gave US$870,000 (100 million yen). How much has been allocated so far? How much spent? Approximately US$1.5 million has been set aside to date for specific projects. Almost US$1 million has been spent so far. What have the funds been used for? The funds have been used for nine modular containers at Ground Zero, rescue gear and supplies for recovery workers, short-term financial assistance for victims’ families, summer camps for victims’ families and a traveling memorial display for the Pentagon disaster. The bulk of the funds will be used for long-term victim assistance programs. Lions know from other disasters that critical long-term needs for victims include the social and emotional health of families and education and scholarships for children. What is the extent of the short-term financial assistance? Eighty families have been helped to date. The average amount is US$2,500 per family. Nearly US$250,000 has been distributed in total. The short-term financial assistance is to help families that have fallen through the cracks and whose shortterm financial needs were not met by other charitable groups. The short-term assistance is not the focus of LCIF and Lions. Instead, the main goal is to help rebuild the lives of victims over the long term. In New York State, ninety-three claims have been approved totaling $256,083; 30 claims were deemed ineligible or declined, and 80 are still under review. Is it possible to apply for a Sept. 11-related grant? Yes. The Lions’ Sept. 11 Central Steering Committee has endorsed a grant application process to enable victims’ groups, relief agencies and Lions’ districts to apply for funding. Programs eligible for funding consideration include (but are not limited to) grief counseling programs, job training, bereavement and recreation programs. For information, call the LCIF Grants Department at 630-571-5466, ext. 580 or 290 or visit the LCIF Web site at www.lcif.org (go to Resources and then Publications). What are the Lions of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut doing in regard to Sept. 11? The Lions are offering direct service to the families of victims. The Lions’ Extended Family Program provides services such as transportation to doctors’ offices and home repairs. This program also has been adopted by four other multiple districts. Continued on next page...

Volume Volume 3, 3, Issue Issue 11

Page Page 55

Frequently answered questions, continued… Lions of New York, as well as Lions from other states, donated countless hours assisting relief workers at Ground Zero. They volunteered at warehouses that served recovery workers and secured supplies from area businesses and then transported them to the World Trade Center site. How have the Lions near the Pentagon responded to Sept. 11? The Lions of Virginia paid tribute to the bravery of police, firefighters and sheriff’s deputies who rushed to the Pentagon on Sept. 11. The Lions sponsored a 9-11 Pentagon Memorial Display that is being rotated among schools, community centers and other sites in Northern Virginia. The Lions also sponsored a 5K run in honor of firefighters and law enforcement personnel and funded a scholarship for victims’ families. How have Lions from outside the United States responded to Sept. 11? Lions overseas have been generous in their response to Sept. 11. Lions from Italy, France and Germany have offered to host young people who lost a family member on September 11. In another example, the Lions of Walddoerfer, Germany, donated US$11,500 to the LCIF Relief Fund to establish a scholarship for the 12 and 13-year-old children of a firefighter who was killed. Lions also have befriended families. Dennis Scauso and his wife, Janlyn, were the proud parents of four children, aged 4-13. Dennis, a New York firefighter, was killed on September 11 and the loss to his family was felt by Lions as far away as District 108-LA in Italy. They collected US$15,000 to help defray the costs of education for the four Scauso children and about 100 Lions from Tuscany made the trip to New York for Lions Day with the United Nations to personally present the check to the family. What happened with the summer camps for 9-11 families? The two camps were so successful that Lions Sept. 11 Central Steering Committee recently allocated $400,000 to support up to six camps/retreats in 2003. Lions will work with Friendship Ambassadors Foundation (FAF) on the camps. For more information on FAF go to www.faf.org. The first camp was held in July 2002 at Camp Sunshine in Casco, Maine. The Ray of Hope Week allowed 29 families a respite from their grief. Families enjoyed themselves and gained a measure of peace and happiness. LCIF gave US$30,000 to make the camp possible. The camp was "a week for the families to mend and share the bitter sweetness of being in a place," where in the words of one mother, "We don't have to explain," according to a story in the Boston Globe. A dozen Lions volunteered at the camp to help it run smoothly. The Lions made sure the families had everything they needed and got the most out of the camp. A second summer camp for Sept. 11 children was held in August in Putnam Valley, N.Y., in conjunction with Friendship Ambassadors Foundation. A theatre troupe used arts-based programming to help the children deal with their grief. LCIF donated US$70,000 to make the camp possible. Young people from war-torn countries served as counselors at the second camp. Reflecting on her experience, one counselor wrote, "I am so happy and proud of myself of helping the most innocent human beings." How do I get current information regarding Lions sponsored Sept. 11 activities? You can visit the Web site at Multiple District 20 at www.md20lions.com/WTC2002.htm. Also read the LION magazine at www.lionsclubs.org and visit the official Web site of LCIF at www.lcif.org.

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MD20 LIONS WTC Disaster Victims Assistance Program

The Lions Camping Experience: helping victims and their families through service... From its origin, the Lions bereavement camps were designed to provide a respite for the victims of the events of 9/11/01 and their families. Lions had been partnering for some time with Camp Sunshine in Casco, Maine. Through the efforts of Lion Marty Grossman and over a dozen Lion volunteers, and supported by an LCIF 9/11 Fund grant of US$30,000 a specific time was set aside at Camp Sunshine in July 2002 for the first Lions sponsored 9/11 victims camp. The “Ray of Hope Week” allowed 29 families a respite from their grief. Families enjoyed themselves and gained a measure of peace and happiness. The camp was "a week for the families to mend and share the bitter sweetness of being in a place," where in the words of one mother, "We don't have to explain," according to a story in the Boston Globe. A second summer camp for Sept. 11 children was held in August 2002 at Camp Mara in Putnam Valley, N.Y. This camp was held in conjunction with the Friendship Ambassadors Foundation (FAF) with LCIF donating US$70,000 to make the “Little Heroes of 9/11” camp possible. To quote the FAF website (www.faf.org): “Imagine a retreat setting in the woods, where trained professionals in arts-based counseling meet with children and families whose lives were in one way or another thrown off track by the tragic 9/11 events. Using creativity and culture grief, rage, anxiety or fear can be released on the path to inner peace and harmony. New relationships can be built to regain the trust lost by the devastation—to see the world as a friendly place again. Sponsored by Lions Clubs International and facilitated by Friendship Ambassadors Foundation, “Find New Hope” retreats involve pageantry, drama, dance and music sessions, relaxing and inspiring indoor and outdoor activities, and on-hands intercultural experiences to support the healing of participants.” Approximately 108 teenage children attended the first Lions/FAF “Little Heroes of 9/11” camp at Camp Mara and another group of nearly 40 who returned for a holiday reunion camp in December along with a surviving parent. Both events were very well received according to participant surveys and letters received afterwards. One mother wrote after the holiday reunion camp: “Yes, there is God and we were in heaven. All the therapy I had to take since 9/11 did not restore my life until you all gave your love. From a family whose faith has now been restored GOD BLESS YOU ALL..” Due to the outstanding success of the first two camps, the following 5 events, have been planned and supported by over $400,000 in LCIF funds: May 7-9, 2003

Camp Mara, NY (Lions/FAF partnership) a weekend family retreat for 9/11 victims

July 20-25, 2003

Casco, Maine (Lions/Camp Sunshine, partnership)

July 28-August 22, 2003

Camp Mara, NY (Lions/FAF partnership); 150 adolescents/children of 9/11 victims in a camping program spread out over 4 week-long sessions

September 29-31, 2003

Camp Merrick, MD; A weekend family retreat with an emphasis on on Pentagon victim families

December 26-30, 2003

Camp Hemlock, CT; a holiday retreat for 9/11 family groups

Volume 3, Issue 1

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The Lions Extended Family Program: With the help of our new coordinator, requests for service are already coming in... Eileen Mandell of the Friendship Ambassador’s Foundation has been named as an outreach coordinator to work with the Lions in their efforts to provide hands on service for 9/11 victims families. In short, the Lions Extended Family Program will pair Lions Clubs (who have expressed an interest to assist victims families) with requests from those families. There are two methods in which the Extended Family Program will be deployed. Both will require a pool of Lions Clubs who are committed to helping those in need. Contact your District Coordinators for more information and details and join up, as Lions, in direct, hands-on service for the 9/11 victims. Firstly, if a club knows of anyone in their community who has been directly affected by the 9/11 disaster, and who requires specific service, they can partner with the victims directly and provide that service. Funding is available for materials and equipment to complete these tasks through the LCIF 9/11 Victims Assistance Fund, if deemed eligible. Secondly, our Lions/FAF Outreach Coordinator, Eileen Mandell, will be contacting various agencies who are in constant contact with the 9/11 victim families in a letter such as the following:

Dear 9/11 Social Service Agencies, The Extended Family program of Lions Club International is in full operation! Members are currently available to offer their physical services to families directly affected by September 11th. Perhaps a house needs painting, or a repair is needed. There might be a need for help filing an income tax return. All needs will be addressed. The clubs have a broad capacity to provide manpower and physical skills that may be required by individual families. Their resources are great. Lions club members are ready and willing to begin new projects immediately! Please note that while this is solely an offer of physical labor, the Lions who assume a project can request funds for its completion. Hopefully you have individuals who wish to take advantage of this voluntary assistance. I can be reached by email at [email protected] and will be happy to provide you with any additional information you require. Thank you for helping us get the word out! Best wishes, Eileen Mandell Lions Outreach Coordinator Friendship Ambassadors Foundation

MD-20 State Office Lions Clubs of NY and Bermuda 528 Oak Street Syracuse NY 13203-1629

MD20 LIONS WTC Disaster Victims Assistance Program Newsletter

Did youyou know September Inside will that find since out more about…11, 2001 the Lions of MD20 have... •

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The Lions Clubs of MD20 New York State & Bermuda www.md20lions.com

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How Lions are helping those most affected by the events of 9/11/01... The current figures regarding fundraising and allocation of donations through LCIF to help in this cause... How Lions bereavement camps are assisting families of 9/11 victims to regain their faith, confidence and trust in the future... How your club can be a part of direct, hands on service through the Lions Extended Family Program, with funding from the MD20 9/11 Victims Assistance Fund, ...