San Pedro Lion’s Club spearheads the fundraising efforts to assist Japan Victims

Lions Club International Fund (LCIF), the day following the Japan disaster, issued a 1.2 million dollars grant equivalent to M100 Japanese yen. In a statement issued by Lion’s International President, Lions’ motto “We serve” was highlighted.
Lions International was among the first to respond to the disaster relieve efforts in Japan. Further correspondence stated that the LCIF remains committed to the immediate relief effort and long term reconstruction effort for as long as possible.
In that regards, all clubs are being called upon to start fundraising efforts for the Japan Appeal Fund. The San Pedro Lions Club on Monday morning launched their Japan appeal fund efforts. The Club’s aim is to raise a minimum of Bze$5,000.00. All four clubs within the country of Belize are tasked with the same goal, Bze$5,000.00.
Donations to the Japan relief fund can be made at the Atlantic Bank Account #:100030618 in the name of Japan Appeal Fund.
In addition to this account, on Sunday March 20, the San Pedro Lions will be holding an all day fundraiser at the San Pedro Lions Den. The general public is invited to this mega fundraising event. Every penny counts. No donation is too small or too large. Belize was a recipient of LCIF’s funds, as last year we received US$10,000.00 in the aftermath of Hurricane Richard, which provided much needed financial assistance to citizens affected.

US $10,000 Grant awarded to Lions Zone 59 to aid Hurricane Richard victims

-Press Release - Belize Lions Zone 59 - November 2, 2010 - The Belize Lions Zone 59 is pleased to announce the disbursement of a grant of US$10,000 to be used for relief supplies to the victims of Hurricane Richard. The money was secured through the Lions Club International Foundation (LCIF) Disaster Relief Fund which is available to any district or zone after a disaster.

Immediately after the passage of Hurricane Richard, The Belize Lions Zone 59 expressed to the Prime Minister of Belize, Hon Dean Barrow, that as a service organization in Belize, we were ready to assist in bringing some immediate relief to the victims of hurricane Richard.
Following the announcement of the initial assessment of the damages, The Zone Chairman, Baldemar Graniel, immediately contacted Lions International and provided them with the necessary documentation to secure the grant. On Monday November 1st, LCIF contacted the Zone Chairman to inform him that the monies have been approved and ready for disbursement.
LCIF has a board-established grant criterion and emergency grant funds must be used only to provide basic necessities such as food, clothing, blankets, bottled water, and medical supplies for those affected by the disaster. Because monies must be utilized by the Lions, the organization will be working very closely with the Government of Belize, through the National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), in identifying areas that are more in need. In the immediate days ahead, the Zone Chairman, Lion Graniel will be consulting with the Presidents of the Club to work out a methodology of disbursing relief supplies.
The LCIF grant will complement the efforts of various other Lions Clubs following the aftermath of Hurricane Richard. The Lions Club International Foundation, along with the Belize Lions Zone 59, continues to pledge its full support to all those Belizeans affected by Hurricane Richard and we remain committed in making our community and country a better place to live. On behalf of the Belize Lions Zone 59 and the people of Belize, we also wish to thank LCIF for awarding us with the much needed grant.

Belize Lion Zone 59 attends installation ceremony in Chetumal, Mexico

The Belize Lions Zone 59 was happy to be invited at the installation of the new Board of Directors for the Chetumal Lions Club. Representing the Zone 59 Lions Organization was the Zone Chairman Lion Valdemar Graniel and the Secretary of the San Pedro Lions Club, Lion Jorge Aldana. The New President of the Chetumal Lions Club is Josefina Gonzalez Perera who expressed her gratitude to the Lions of Belize for attending the occasion.For his part and on behalf of the Lions of Belize, Lion Graniel congratulated Lion Josefina for taking up the mantle of leadership for the next year. Lion Aldana also extended greetings on behalf of the San Pedro Lions Club. Also present to officiate the ceremony was Mexico B 8 District Governor David Jimenez López. The San Pedro Lions Club joins the Belize Lions Zone 59 in congratulating Lion President Josefina Perera.

Lions Cancel Annual National Convention

At the bi-weekly San Pedro Lion’s Club meeting held last Thursday, May 27th Belize Lions Zone 59 Chairman Baldemar Graniel announced that there would be no National Lions Convention held this year.

This will be the first time in 32 years that Zone 59, which represents all Lions Clubs country wide will not be holding a convention. Typically the National Lions convention includes Lion members from other clubs country-wide and is usually held over a weekend. With opening ceremonies, hospitality booths hosted by visiting clubs, organizational workshops, regional tours, receptions, dances and cultural presentations the event usually ends with a parade celebrating Lionsim in Belize.

According to Graniel, the Zone 59 Cabinet recently decided against holding the annual convention based on the fact that the Zone does not have the funding to host the event. Months ago Zone 59 had over $10,000 in their bank account but learned in March that the monies had been embezzled by Zone 59 Secretary/Treasurer Kainie Manuel.

The story, first ran in The San Pedro Sun on April 29th, Vol.20 - #17, (http://sanpedrosun.net/old/10-172.html) reported that Ms. Manuel confessed to a Zone investigation team that she had exhausted the Zone’s funds. On April 27th, Manuel appeared in San Pedro Magistrate’s Court where she was charged with 15 counts of theft. Although a court date on May 26th was scheduled, the hearing was adjourned to a later date.

Although the Zone is struggling to replenish their hard earned funding they maintain their commitment to the community. According to Chairman Graniel, there is now talk about organizing an informal retreat sometime later this summer where all regional clubs can participate at a minimal expense.