Queens Lions aid St. Vincent volcano relief
While Lions in Brooklyn have made concerted efforts in aiding volcano relief for St. Vincent and the Grenadines, their counterparts in Queens have been equally up to the task, according to Beverley Campbell, a past president of the Central Brooklyn Lions Club.
Jamaican-born Campbell, executive director of the Afro American Parents Educational Center, Inc., on Sutphin Boulevard in Jamaica, Queens, told Caribbean Life on Tuesday that Lions in Queens have been using her center to collect and sort relief items for shipment.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank my board chairperson Jurlene Washington, who allowed me to use my program to accommodate the Lions of Queens — District 20K1,” said Campbell, disclosing that 2nd Vice District Governor Lion Ingrid Andrews-Campbell — a Vincentian, also past president of Central Brooklyn Lions Club and one of the Lions’ disaster relief coordinators — had requested the use of Campbell’s facility for relief efforts in Queens.
“I was pleased that my Board of Directors said ‘yes,’” added Campbell, a Brooklyn resident. “It was great to see so many clubs calling and coming in to drop their donations of non-perishable foods, child and adult pampers, cases of water PPE supplies and paper goods, along with some monetary donations.
“My appreciation goes out to members of my staff who helped me to collect and set up all the donations for final packing to be shipped to St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” she continued, giving special thanks to Taylor Campbell, past district Leo president, and Troy Allen, “who kept the building opened on Saturday, allowing for the packing of five large barrels.
“To all the clubs who gave of their time and contributions at the Queens location, I was very happy to accommodate you all,” said Campbell, listing contributing Lions clubs in Queens: Springfield Gardens; Brookville; El Caribe; St. Albans; Hollis; Queens Las America; Laurelton; Richmond Hill; Rego Park; Little Neck; Douglaston; Woodside Inter Americana; and East Elmhurst.
Campbell said other clubs that contributed were Brooklyn Transition, United Negro Improvement Association and Afro-American Parents “on behalf of Central Brooklyn.”
“As Lions, we serve,” she said, stressing the philanthropic organization’s motto.
Andrews-Campbell told Caribbean Life that she is coordinating “this continuous effort” on behalf of District Governor Jackie Phillips from the Lions of Brooklyn and Queens, which comprise District 20-K.
Andrews-Campbell said she is also working closely in this initiative with Junior Bacchus, local coordinator of Lions of SVG Disaster Response.
“Working together with local Lions and Lion leaders, we assess urgent needs and quickly deliver aid to disaster victims,” she said. “Lions know that a disaster can affect anyone’s community, whether it’s halfway around the world or right at home.
“After immediate needs are met, victims of disasters are not forgotten,” Andrews-Campbell added. “We remain committed to the important process of rebuilding homes and lives, often long after a disaster occurs.”
