Supporting Youth through LCIF

We received the following email from our Chairperson of the Lions Clubs International Foundation:

Dear Lion,

As a parent, I know the importance of supporting children in every way possible. And, as a Lion, I know the influence and impact our association can have on youth. I experienced this last year in working with Leo clubs around the world. Each time I met a Leo, I was inspired by their enthusiasm and dedication to service. It is important to give our support to these young adults and others in our communities.

As Chairperson of our Foundation, I am also inspired by how LCIF supports youth. LCIF's Lions Quest program teaches students in all grades how to interact with others in a positive way, and how to understand one another. These skills are sometimes overlooked and yet, much needed. Lions Quest has been proven to improve test scores, change attitudes about substance abuse and violence and lower the risk of dropping out of school.

Lions Quest has impacted over 12 million students around the world and trained over 500,000 teachers to teach these vital skills in the classroom. Now, Lions Quest not only reaches children in school, it also supports children outside of school through its new program, Out-of-School Time. This program can be used in community centers, Lions camps and any other place where students go outside of school. By giving students support both in and out of school, it enables them to make better choices and lead more positive lives.

As you work to "Engage our Youth" through this month's Global Service Action Campaign, I hope you remember that our Foundation not only supports youth through Lions Quest, but also through grant projects. Imagine the joy of a disabled child when a playground is built allowing them to finally participate in play. Imagine giving children a home off of the streets. Imagine saving the sight of a child through an eye screening. These projects are made a reality through LCIF.

Improving the health of young people is an important role of our Foundation. One way that you can do that through LCIF is by supporting the One Shot, One Life: Lions Measles Initiative. When you believe in One Shot, One Life, you are supporting Lions' efforts to be a leading force in measles prevention.

Last October, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation challenged Lions to raise US$10 million for measles. We need to act today to help save 157 million children around the world from measles and to meet the challenge this year. We are at nearly seventy percent of our goal. Will you help us meet this challenge? Every dollar can make a difference in the life of a child.

Thank you for believing in and supporting our youth. Together, we can give the next generation skills to enjoy their childhood and grow into successful adults.

Sincerely,

Wing-Kun Tam

Chairperson, Lions Clubs International Foundation