WISCONSIN LIONS MISSIONS COG REPORT JANUARY 2025
PCC BILL TAUBMAN, WLM CHAIR

The first half of the 2024-25 Lions year has been a busy time for WLM. I will write briefly about most, if not all, the different projects undertaken in these first months.

 

PINE RIDGE INDIAN RESERVATION We continue to work with the people of the Reservation. We made three trips out there with household goods etc. for the people of the Reservation. Additionally, in October a group of about 20 WI Lions went to the Reservation to do an eyeglass campaign. Doing clinics there have always been a special challenge and this one was no different . While we were there we did clinics in two different locations and screened near 900 people and gave out about 500 glasses. Currently we are exploring becoming involved on some of the other eight reservations in South Dakota.

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EYE GLASSES As we have done for the past 10+ years we traveled to other states to pick up eyeglasses for our recycling center As a part of the first trip to Pine Ridge we picked up all of Wyoming's eyeglasses and then circled down to Omaha where we picked up the Nebraska glasses. The final stop was in Iowa. In total we brought back to our recycling center about 150,000 pair.

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GUATEMALA In November 30 Lions from Wisconsin and Minnesota traveled to Guatemala to do our third mission there and it was very successful. About 1,800 people were screened and approximately 1,600 received glasses. This was the last mission that we will be doing jointly with Minnesota Lions. It was 6-7 years ago that we began encouraging Minnesota to do missions and since that time small numbers of them joined us as they learned and got their organizational work done and now are ready to do missions by themselves. We expect that on occasions we will work back and forth with each other as the need exists.

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DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Our third eyeglass mission in the DR will happen in March. It is planned for about 28 Lions to be participating and we would expect to see about 3,000 local people.

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HURRICANE HELENE A complete financial report and a report of what was done will be given to every donor when the relief effort is over. Included here is a summary to date.

     We chose to work mostly in Tennessee and North Carolina because they are the closest to us and, North Carolina especially, was the most seriously harmed. Despite that early judgment multiple lengthy conversations were had and are continuing with Lion leadership in Georgia, Florida and Virginia. North Carolina Lions are very well organized and prepared to carry out a major and effective relief program. Other states are all doing what they can but the scale was smaller.

     Our WLM campaign to raise money and materials began with a simple letter to Lions and Lion Clubs. The response was immediate and very generous. Money came from Clubs, Districts, Leo Clubs, individuals, businesses and industries. In total about 240 clubs and individuals have donated. As of Dec. 23rd cash received totals a little over $150,000 and the value of products donated I would estimate at $19-20,000 or more. These dollar figures do not include the value of all the private donations of quilts, blankets, house hold goods furniture and so much more.

 

What has been done so far?

• A semi load of new mattresses and used furniture has been delivered to Tennessee.

• The Lions 34 ft. trailer was used to haul about 10,000# of food, propane bottles, new small kitchen appliances and paper products to the North Carolina Lions State office and Lions Camp

• 150 $50 Visa gift cards were distributed to flood victims with immediate needs. These gift cards were distributed by the local Lions.

• Two different donations totaling $40,000 were given to the NC Lions Foundation to support

  their relief efforts

• $20,000 was given to a Tennessee District to support their relief efforts.

• $10,000 was given to buy building materials to help repair or replace 78 homes in the small town of Damascus, VA.

• About $10,000 was spent on Presto kitchen appliances that could serve people for cooking even in a tent once they had access to electricity.

• About $10,000 was spent buying food and propane.

• The NC Lions Foundation prepared both a Thanksgiving dinner and a Christmas dinner for about 200 people in a mountain village. Part of the donation we made to them was to actually purchase the food so they could serve those dinners.
   

What remains, what is next? The top priority is to continue to work hard, fast and diligently to donate the balance of the money in the most useful way we can to buy comfort and peace for all the victims we can. For the next few months food and heat will be critical but needs gradually change. As homes get repaired or rebuilt there will be a need for furniture. One thought now is to collect used furniture (all really good furniture!). This could be done in every District, perhaps coordinated by WLM Mission district chairs. We will retain some money for a few months to cover shipping costs if it is decided to do a furniture collection.

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At this time, 12-26-24, approximately $50,000 remains in the relief fund. That money serves no one until it is spent and just how that will be done is decided in consultation with local Lion leaders and relief coordinators. Conversations are held every week with those people in each of these states and it is from those conversations that the most urgent needs and best ideas emerge.

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As noted earlier, we will prepare a complete financial and activity report when this is about completed. In the meantime I would welcome your comments, suggestions or observations. My contact information is: 715-520-7692 wct38@centurytel.net