Leos leap into service Convention highlights - Lions Clubs New ...

EARTHQUAKES UPDATECanterbury 'quakes response rewardedRaewyn Clearwater, Past District Governor of 202E, has been honoured with a Royal Humane Society Medalfor her selfless service following Christchurch's devastating earthquakes.Recipients of the award were chosenfrom nominations made by the public andincluded those who pulled people from therubble, who came to the aid of strickenhospital patients, and those who inspiredtheir communities."This was an individual award to her, notas a representative of Lions, although itwas awarded for the work she did as theDistrict Governor of the day," explainedPDG Marion McWha. "She was nominatedby at least two Lions."While still working in the health field, andcarrying out her District Governor dutieswithout interruption, Raewyn's home wastaken over by earthquake relief supplies -every time I was there, there were boxesand boxes of goods received from Lionsfrom all over the country, which she hadto arrange to distribute."She mobilised Christchurch Lions insuch things as distribution of water andportable toilets."A woman in Wellington arranged to collectlinen - and Raewyn received well overa dozen huge bales of sheets, towels,etc - too much to store in their alreadyfull garage, so another Club memberkindly stored it. From that venue Raewyn,assisted by other Lions, sorted throughabsolutely every item, and arranged for itto be distributed to the most needy.PDG Raewyn with her medal. "Presented to Raewyn Clearwater in recognition of acts of kindness,service and heroism during and following the Christchurch earthquakes""All this sort of thing done in the sparemoments she could find from her job, herDG commitments, and her family."She hadn't known of the nomination, andwas away on a well-deserved holiday on theday the awards were presented. She askedthe Council if she could have someone collectit on her behalf, but they said they wouldarrange a special presentation on her return.However, this did not happen, and eventuallyRaewyn and I went in to the Council officeand picked it up from the receptionist."No special presentation, so that night atour Club meeting, I nominated Past DistrictGovernor Tom McCleary as "acting Mayor"and he "officially" presented the ChristchurchEarthquake Hero award to Raewyn."“I would like to thank the many clubs thathelped out in so many ways during theearthquakes,” Raewyn says. “To all the clubsand members of the public who knitted all thebeanies, cardigans, blankets, baby clothesand soft toys. I lost count of how many boxesarrived. They were very much appreciated.The mountain of linen that arrived has allbeen put to very good use. There was bakingthat arrived as well, which was wonderful.To my fellow District Governors who did somuch to help us by getting their own Districtsin behind projects. I know there were alot of projects put on hold to help those inChristchurch. We are very grateful.”Relief work continuesThroughout this Lions year we have had a team of Lions who have continued to give one hundredpercent of their time and efforts to our community on our behalf, says DG Mary Griffiths."The members of the Earthquake Relief Fund Committee are:Chairman PDG Philip Lynch, DGE Peter Mechaelis, Don Giles, DigbyProsser, PDG Raewyn Clearwater, Peter Gamble, Gillian Stewart, IngMa, Eileen Yates, Tony Flint and myself. We also have a most efficientand valued secretary - Janet Shepherd."These people have worked consistently, visiting and vetting peoplewho have asked for our help, spent hours on the phone and attendedmany meetings to co-ordinate decision making. I am exceedinglygrateful to each and every one of them for their continued dedicationand passionate contribution to a very successful team, who havejudiciously distributed the hard-earned funds donated by LionsClubs world-wide."LION, South Pacific Edition | May/June 2012 5