How do I make a donation?
U.S. donors can mail a check to LCIF. Make the check payable to LCIF and write “tsunami relief” in the memo field. Send the check to LCIF, 300 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, IL 60523, USA, Attn.: Donor Services. You can also make a credit card donation with a MasterCard, Visa or American Express by calling LCIF at 630-571-5466, ext. 517 or 554. Call between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CST.

Non-U.S. donors can make a credit card donation with a MasterCard, Visa or American Express by faxing to LCIF the name of your credit card, credit card number, expiration date and amount of donation. LCIF’s fax number is 630-571-5735. You also can mail LCIF a U.S. dollar check drawn on a U.S. financial institution. Make the check payable to LCIF and write “tsunami relief” in the memo field. Send the check to LCIF, 300 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, IL 60523, USA, Attn.: Donor Services. Or you can make a direct deposit of local currency into an existing LCI account. Specify “LCIF tsunami relief” on the deposit slip and send a copy to LCIF via fax (630-571-5735).

What will my donation be used for?
Every dollar of each donation goes directly toward food, water or clothing for tsunami victims or for longer-term reconstruction such as building of homes and schools. LCIF’s pays for its administrative expenses from earnings on investments, ensuring that each donation is entirely for relief.

Why donate to LCIF instead of another charity?
Lions who donate to other relief agencies or Lions districts that donate directly to another district affected by the tsunami are to be commended for their generosity. But donating to LCIF carries several important advantages. 1.) Donations to LCIF are a highly efficient and effective way to help people impacted by the tsunamis. Every donated dollar goes directly to relief efforts; LCIF’s administrative costs are paid for by interest on investments. 2.) The donations empower local Lions who are familiar with the needs of their community to meet the most critical needs of their community. There are 73,000 Lions on the ground in the hardest hit regions of India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia who are able to come to the aid of those most in need. LCIF has a long history of disaster relief and filling in the gaps not covered by other relief agencies. 3.) LCIF’s grants are often matched by grants from other agencies. Thus donations made to LCIF are eventually leveraged by other grants, maximizing the power and reach of a single donation.

What is LCIF’s track record in regard to relief work?
LCIF has a long history of bringing assistance to areas affected by natural disasters in South and South East Asia and around the world. LCIF’s prior success with disaster relief in South Asia bodes well for its initiatives in response to the tsunami. LCIF has assisted with aid and reconstruction in the aftermath of two major natural disasters in India. In 2001, US$2.5 million was mobilized to assist communities to rebuild after the Gujarat earthquake. The funds built 734 homes for people displaced by the earthquake, 20 primary schools, and a general hospital. In 2000, LCIF assisted with almost US$500,000 to assist rebuilding areas affected by the Orissa cyclone. A total of 360 homes, nine community centers, five schools, and two orphanages were constructed.

Is my donation eligible for a Melvin Jones Fellowship?
Donations for tsunami relief from Dec. 26, 2004, to March 31, 2005, were eligible for MJF recognition. These had to be donations that fully provided for an MJF through a US$1,000 donation. The Melvin Jones Fellow did not have to be named at the time the donation was made.

Whether or not MJF recognition is obtained, donations for tsunami relief count toward an individual’s and a club’s cumulative giving totals to LCIF, which help qualify an individual and club for various award programs.

LCIF’s normal policy is that MJF recognition is not allowed for designated donations. The LCIF board of trustees made an exception to this policy in January to encourage donations for tsunami victims. Prior exceptions also were made for the SightFirst Campaign and donations for Sept. 11 relief.

Will you accept donations of food, clothing or other items?
LCIF is unable to accept offers of goods such as blankets, clothing or food. It is not logistically feasible for LCIF to process and transport such donations.

How much has LCIF contributed to the relief?
The LCIF Executive Committee in April allocated US$1.25 million for tsunami aid for Lions in each of the four main countries affected by the disaster-Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Thailand and India. The board will allocate additional funds in the near future. Lions have donated US$9 million to LCIF for tsunami relief so far. LCIF has provided US$470,000 in grants and committed an additional US$2.5 million from its reserves. So LCIF will soon officially allocate at least US$12 million for tsunami relief and reconstruction.