Flood Relief - Lions Clubs Australia

Lions and Disaster Relief Australia Unite for Flood Recovery Effort

May 11, 2022/in EMERGENCY RESPONSE, OUR STORIES /by Jemma

The devastating floods that hit Queensland and NSW in March this year had far-reaching consequences for both communities and individuals. The path back to recovery appeared endless, with only shells of damaged homes and shattered lives remaining.

Along with our own volunteers, partner organisations such as Disaster Relief Australia (DRA) were thankfully ready to respond. The first phase of flood recovery efforts began in the Moreton Bay region of Queensland and then Coraki, NSW, just a short drive from hard-hit Lismore.

Over 650 volunteers deployed in response to 500 requests for help over the course of eight weeks. Over a million dollars in community value has been generated by 25K volunteer hours.

Wherever DRA deploys volunteers on the ground to aid communities in need of recovery after disasters, Lions is there to help. Lions’ volunteers pay membership fees to cover admin costs which means 100% of funds donated to Lions clubs go directly towards the cause, such as DRA’s disaster recovery operations.

The people of Coraki, NSW, welcomed DRA volunteers with open arms as they began the community recovery process. Aside from assisting flood victims, the disaster relief teams worked on community projects such as cleaning up the bowling club to bring people together and placing fresh wood chips in playgrounds to provide children a safe area to play once again.

Thousands of safety masks, hundreds of pairs of gumboots, pressure washers, heavy equipment rental, and hundreds of litres of cleaning chemicals were used.

Lions’ contribution to DRA has resulted in tangible and long-term benefits.

Breakdown of funding:

Lions Club of Tathra Operation Kelliher – Flood Recovery $2,500

Lions Club of Batemans Bay Operation Kelliher – Flood Recovery $1,149

Oak Flats Lions Club Operation Kelliher – Flood Recovery $1,000

Lions Clubs of Goulburn City Operation Kelliher – Flood Recovery $10,00

You can still donate to the Australian Lions Foundation’s National Flood Appeal here.

All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Preschool donates $10,000 to ALF National Flood Appeal

April 6, 2022/in DONATIONS, EMERGENCY RESPONSE, OUR STORIES /by Jemma

The community is rallying behind the Australian Lions Foundation National Disaster Appeal providing emergency relief to those communities devastated by floods in QLD and NSW.

Local Randwick business Platinum Preschool has donated $10,000 to the appeal.

A special event held at Platinum Preschool last month saw the kids dressing up as Lions Cubs to present the $10,000 cheque to Sari-Elle Kraemer, President of Coogee Lions Club.

Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker and Member for Coogee Marjorie O’Neil were also in attendance.

Every dollar donated to the Australian Lions Foundation National Disaster Appeal is being sent directly to Lions Clubs on the ground in flood affected communities.

Platinum Preschool Owner Jo O’Brien says the donation is not only about supporting the flood affected communities but also about setting a good example.

“Platinum Preschool is very proud to be donating a full day of fees to the Australian Lions Foundation Disaster Appeal,” says Jo.

“In addition to helping those impacted by the floods, this donation is also about setting a good example to the kids at Platinum through showing them the importance of helping others in times of need. When devastation occurs, we teach the children to look out for those who are helping and being kind. This reinforces our ethos of BE KIND and the values program we teach daily here in our centre” adds Jo.

Platinum Preschool kids present Lions with a donation to the ALF National Flood Appeal

Coogee Lions President Sari-Elle Kraemer has thanked the community for its support and is encouraging anyone else looking to help support those impacted by the floods to consider making a donation to the Australian Lions Foundation.

“At Coogee Lions, we know many people in our community are looking to help those affected by the catastrophic floods in QLD and NSW. Our volunteers have been out in the community shaking donation buckets and we are seeing such strong support and generosity from the local community. Thank you to all of the local businesses who have offered to have a donation box and to those like Platinum Preschool who are supporting the Australian Lions Foundation National Disaster Appeal,” says Sari-Elle.

“Every dollar raised is being sent directly to local Lions Clubs on the ground who are providing emergency relief in their community. That’s the benefit of an organisation like Lions – we have over 1200 clubs across Australia so when disaster strikes we can get funds sent quickly to those who need it most.”

Anyone looking to make a donation and support those affected by the floods can do so through their local Lions Club or through donating directly to Australian Lions Foundation.

All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

A message of hope for Northern NSW as it sees more rain

April 5, 2022/in EMERGENCY RESPONSE, OUR STORIES /by Jemma

As Northern NSW braced for even more rain this week, the resilience and determination of volunteers is shining through.

Lions Australia is celebrating its 75^th Anniversary this year and the theme of “always” being there for the community could not be more relevant.

Lismore was the birthplace of Lions in Australia with Lismore Lions Club founded in 1947.

75 years on, there are several Lions clubs in the area and over 1300 across Australia who have been able to mobilise quickly to provide support to those in need.

Lismore Lions Club President Theo Beemster says it is going to take years for the community to recover and local Lions volunteers will be there every step of the way.

“We will keep going until we’re not needed anymore,” says Theo.

Lismore Lions Club members have their barbecue trailer set up outside Lincraft in Keen Street each day. They have been supporting the clean-up providing food, water and a listening ear to the community and visiting ADF personnel, Fire Brigade, SES crews and volunteers.

Lismore Lions with members of the Australian Defence Force

“We are managing quite well, just a little exhausted. Even though many of our members are in their 80s, they are so sufficient at what they do. We have many business donating sausages and bacon to our cook up which is a huge help. We also have the Goonellabah-Wollongbar & Districts Lions Club helping out and providing food nearby as well and Lismore City Lions Club providing food in South Lismore,” adds Theo.

The Lismore City Lions have also set up a free laundry and shower van at 25 Casino St, South Lismore outside Sheaffe Motors that is operating between 9am and 5pm Monday to Friday. The van was kindly supplied by the Lions Club of Belmont and District from the Newcastle region.

Local Lions Clubs on the ground are being supported by many volunteers and their communities with hundreds of Lions volunteers across the country shaking donation buckets and hosting fundraisers for the Australian Lions Foundation National Disaster Appeal.

Every dollar raised in the Appeal is being sent directly to local Lions Clubs to provide emergency support to those in need and help the community rebuild.

Anyone looking to make a donation and support those affected by the floods can do so through their local Lions Club or through donating directly to Australian Lions Foundation.

All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

Lions volunteers across Australia are mobilising for flood relief

March 10, 2022/in EMERGENCY RESPONSE, OUR STORIES /by Jemma

When disaster strikes Lions roll up their sleeves and take action and that’s exactly what is happening right now.

From Lions Clubs on the ground who are helping with clean-ups, providing essential items to local residents and cooking at evacuation centres to the many volunteers across the country shaking donation buckets and hosting sausage sizzles and fundraisers for the National Appeal, Lions are making a big difference.

CEO of Lions Australia Rob Oerlemans says many Lions Clubs across the country are out in the community doing what they can to help those impacted by the devastating floods.

“In times of disaster Lions take action. Many of our Clubs in QLD and NSW are doing whatever they can right now to help their communities whether it’s assisting residents with clean-ups, providing food and essential items to those who have lost everything or cooking for evacuation centres and volunteers. We expect many of our clubs right across Australia to be out in their communities shaking donation buckets and hosting fundraisers for the Australian Lions Foundation National Disaster Appeal,” says Rob Oerlemans.

Every dollar raised in the Australian Lions Foundation National Disaster Appeal will be sent directly to local Lions Clubs to provide emergency support to those in need.

“In times of disaster, Australian Lions Foundation is focused on getting emergency support to communities in need as quickly as possible. Right now, Queensland and Northern NSW needs Australia’s help and we are working closely with Lions Clubs on the ground and providing them with emergency funds so they can help those in need in their community,” says Australian Lions Foundation Chairperson Tony Benbow OAM.

“Through Lions’ incredible network of over 1200 clubs we are able to deliver goods and support quickly and can be sure it will go to where it is needed most,” adds Tony.

Lismore Lions Club, the first Australian Lions club formed back in 1947, has been providing food and water to their hard-hit community and emergency crews every day for the past 5 days.

Lismore Lions President Theo Beemster says they are feeding hundreds of people each day.

“The town has been completely destroyed with most buildings completely guttered inside – it’s going to take years to rebuild. But our club will keep going until we’re not needed anymore”.

Lions have been providing emergency support to Australian communities for decades. Over $4.6 million was raised and distributed in the recent Australian Lions Foundation National Bushfire Appeal and $1.9 million was raised and distributed to Flood Support last year.

Australians looking to make a donation and support those affected by the floods can do so through their local Lions Club or through donating directly to the Australian Lions Foundation.

All donations over $2 are tax deductible.

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