Looking back at the Summer of 2012-13

Australian Lions Foundation National Disaster Appeal

To all Lions, Lioness and Leo Clubs in Multiple District 201 – Australia

With the unprecedented natural disasters that have affected many of our States over the recent times and now with the serious impacts of flooding and damage on the East Coast, the Trustees of the Australian Lions Foundation in conjunction with the Council Chairman have agreed to widen the current Appeal to be a “National Disaster Appeal” to cover all areas that are currently and are likely to be impacted in the future.

The Trustees thank the Districts and Clubs for once again showing their generous support of the National Appeal for bushfire victims from throughout Australia and hope that your support will continue in aid of those now impacted by the current flooding in Queensland and New South Wales.

The original appeal was established in mid-January to assist the Tasmanian fire victims, but since the need increased to other areas the appeal widened for support across the country.

The Foundation has donated $50,000 to Tasmania (T1) and $20,000 to New South Wales (N4) to support the immediate needs of the bushfire victims.

Clubs have been involved supporting not only those residents directly affected by the bushfires, but also those who have played a key role in providing support and catering to those that have been fighting the fires. Of the amounts donated to date, $34,500 has been donated specifically for the Tasmanian victims and the remainder for the broader National Appeal of which Tasmania will be included.

The Foundation through the State Trustees, are closely liaising with the Governors of the impacted Districts throughout the Country and will continue to review support for areas that may be impacted further. An immediate allocation of $50,000 has been made to the Districts now dealing with the flooding and this funding will be disbursed as the Governor’s request.

Clubs should continue to send their donations through their Cabinet Treasurer and not send direct to the ALF Emergency Relief Account as electronic deposits made without a reference from a club cannot be identified and allocated and acknowledged as a club contribution. As noted earlier, a generous deposit has been received but no details have been provided to locate the donor as yet.

If Clubs wish their donation to be directed to a specific area impacted by the fires or floods, please indicate with your advice to your Treasurer otherwise the Foundation will disburse funds received proportionally to the needs of the areas as these donations are received. Remember that every dollar that is donated goes directly to assist the victims of these disasters.

Please continue to support this appeal and help those in need

Remember the “Australian Lions Foundation” is your foundation

Clubs are able to send their donations through their Cabinet Treasurer.

Donations may be collected by Clubs from the public or organisations but if they request a receipt for their donation for tax deductibility purposes, clubs will need to obtain the following information and provide that to their Cabinet Treasurer when they send through their donations.

• Name of Donor
• Address of Donor
• Contact Number
• Amount of Donation

When the ALF Treasurer receives the donation from your District via your Cabinet Treasurer, a receipt will be issued direct to the donor. The Australian Lions Foundation is able to respond in such a way because of the generosity and willingness of the Lions family in Australia to support those in need.