Greetings Lions of District 36G,

Well, 2 years have gone by in a flash! This will be my last article serving as your District Governor for two years running. I have many memories, new friends and a true appreciation for all you do as Lion’s in your communities. I only wish I could have got in a visit to all of your respective clubs. I missed a few and I sincerely apologize for that.

I want to recognize LCIF, our foundation, in this final article for a need I never expected I would find myself in …… requesting a grant for an emergency. You see,

my community of Burns was hit by flooding from snow melt that affected the north and east side of town with standing water in some homes up to 4’ or better. Only to be coupled with the city sewer system failing on top of that because of overcapacity with all the extra water. So, the Burns Lions Club applied to LCIF for an Emergency Grant of $15,000. We put in another $5000 from our club plus an additional $1000 from Crooked River Ranch Lions. We teamed up with Parr Lumber who was procuring at drastically reduced prices drywall, insulation and sub-flooring, disinfectants, and lime along other things to help people rid their homes of possible mold, e-coli and coliform bacteria and begin the rebuilding process as soon as possible. Some 100 homes had severe damage.

Our foundation. LCIF, received, approved and disbursed funds to our District treasurer in less than 96 hours …. Absolutely amazing to me. The total funds of over $21,000 was allocated out at $350 per address. This combined with the near cost prices covered substantial costs in a very urgent time of need. All funds were spent within a seven-day period. We helped 69 households. The speed of this motivated homeowners and renters to get on the damages very fast! So many community members, churches and others came together to help muck out those folks in dire need.

Our club donated to LCIF last year after missing a few years … and it came back in multitudes to this community. You never know what disasters can hit your community in the wink of an eye. But I now know firsthand who can be there to assist in a matter of hours. Please consider having your club donate to LCIF, it just may be you next. We always hear of LCIF mobilizing quickly on big disasters …. I’m here to tell you from the smallest of communities that ‘Where there is a need, there is a Lion …. Immediately.

Quoting Helen Keller while recognizing our 100 year commitment ….. “So long as the memory of certain beloved friends lives in my heart, I shall say that life is good.”

Thank you for the honor of serving our great District 36G as your District Governor these past two years. With retirement in my near future …. I hope to ‘crash’ a meeting unexpectedly and share in the life of other Lions clubs! Until we meet again ….

Pete Runnels

District Governor 36G

“Be Instrumental in Service”