Lions clubs to the rescue

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Nearly a month after record flash floods hit the Northland, the Lions clubs roared to the aid of a number of families in the area.

Carlton Area Lions Club Treasurer Larry Penk explained that the Lions Club International organization sent $10,000 for the Duluth, Esko and Carlton clubs to donate for flood-related necessities, such as food, water, cleaning supplies, clothes, medication and blankets.

As of Tuesday morning, the Carlton Area Lions Club had spent a little more than $6,300 of that money to help flood victims from Brookston, Carlton, Thomson, Barnum and other county residents. The Esko club used $2,500 of the money as well.

“We kind of beat them to the punch,” Penk said, noting that Carlton County reaped the lion’s share of the money.

Working with Volunteer Services of Carlton County helped, he said, explaining that Volunteer Services helped the Lions club connect with different people who still needed assistance after last month’s flooding.

“The [Carlton Area] Lions Club called me to ask me if I was aware of any families who had lost food, clothing, and other basic needs supplies due to the flood,” said Jill Hatfield, Volunteer Services executive director. “I had a database of those people who had contacted our agency asking for help and I was able to link the Lions Club to those families. The Lions Club, through their generosity, has given hope back to families who have lost so much.”

The Lions Club is a local and international network of 1.3 million men and women in 205 countries and geographic areas who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities around the world. Part of the Lions Club mission also focuses on hearing, eyesight and diabetes.

“There were a lot of people who have stepped out to help the area,” said Penk, a 40-year member of the Lions Club. “And we serve; we helped a girl in Moose Lake purchase new hearing aids that she had lost in the flood.”

The Carlton Area Lions Club members aren’t finished supporting their community yet. The club is hosting a live auction during this weekend’s Carlton Daze celebration – at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 28, at the Carlton VFW on Chestnut Street – to help Carlton County families, including flood victims.

“I hope the flood was a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” Penk said. “It was so much of an ordeal, to the roads, homes and families.”

Tags: flood 2012, how to help