A letter from Lion James Franklin Groff, President of the Christina Lions Club
Fellow Lions,
On Sunday, May 22, 2011, an F5 tornado touched down in southern part of Joplin, Missouri. This tornado cut a path one mile wide and 14 miles long in the heart of the residential section of Joplin. The destruction was overwhelming - 7829 homes were damaged or totally destroyed; 8 schools were significantly damaged affecting the education of 7747 students; a nine-story hospital was moved 4 inches off its foundation by the high winds.
After working together with the Lions from Missouri and Kansas by tearing down and clearing up home sites two months after the tornado hit, I realized that this rebuilding could take the local Lions many, many years to accomplish without outside assistance. Since our motto is WE SERVE, this would be a great opportunity for Pennsylvania Lions to extend the hand of service by adopting this massive project and opening your hearts to the people of Joplin who so desperately need you.
I am organizing an unforgettable experience that will highlight what Lionism is truly all about. I am arranging bus transportation to and from Joplin; lodging; continental breakfast each day; a listing of needed tasks and a Saturday night get together with local Lions. There we will have the opportunity to share our experiences of the week and further develop camaraderie and friendship between our two states. This project will begin on June 1st and will be a 10 day adventure – 5 days of service, 4 days for transportation back and forth and one day on your own.
Past International President Sid L. Scruggs III and his wife, Lion Judy, came to Joplin and worked alongside the local Lions and myself. There they made a video for LCIF highlighting the needs for assistance with disaster relief. PIP Sid said, “It is a necessity for us to be able to venture into a new frontier of disaster relief”. Next year’s International President, 1st VIP Wayne Madden theme is, “A World of Service”. This project is a perfect opportunity to endorse his idea. PDG Jack Schimmel, well known across PA, said, “I can’t think of a better way to spend your vacation than to provide needed service to your fellow man in Joplin, MO”.
Our International President Wing-Kun Tam’s theme this year is “I BELIEVE”. DO YOU?
