Sample Appeal Letter (From Lions Club in Miami)

THIS IS A GOOD SAMPLE APPEAL LETTER THAT OTHERS MAY WISH TO MODIFY FOR LOCAL FUNDRAISING

APPEAL TO LIONS OF MULTIPLE DISTRICT 35

An appeal for donations is hereby made to all Lions of Multiple District 35 in view of the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Felix on the northeastern portion of the Atlantic Coast of Nicaragua.

• Hurricane Felix made landfall in the northeastern town of Sandy Bay, Nicaragua on September 4, 2007, blowing off the roofs of 90 percent of the houses and knocking out electricity over a wide area.

• Puerto Cabezas was the city most affected by Hurricane Felix, which hit the area as a Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale.

• UN rescue workers have been stunned by the intensity of the destruction wrought along the impoverished country’s northeastern coast.

• 90% of the area’s infrastructure was destroyed.

• 16,000 homes have been destroyed or d0amaged.

• A total affected population of up to 300,000, mainly scattered among disperse communities, where transport and communications are extremely difficult.

• Although official reports indicate that there are over 108 dead and 106 reported missing; extra-official reports put the numbers at 300 dead, 1000 missing, and 63 wounded. One report called out possible 3000 dead due to areas that have still were not inspected as of September 10^th.

• 5,400 wells were contaminated and 6,000 latrines destroyed

• Of the 300,000 affected, 50,000 have lost everything they owned.

• A fear of the spread of infectious diseases is at hand due to dead animals in/around riverbeds and other water sources. Many cases of pneumonia, respiratory ailments, malaria, and diarrhea, especially among children and adolescents have been reported.

• The victims of this catastrophe are among the poorest and most vulnerable people, not just in Nicaragua, but in the whole Latin American region.

• The ethnic Zumo and Mayagna Indian community of Awastingni, located in the jungle about 55 miles, northwest of Puerto Cabezas, was completely wiped out.

• Preliminary reports indicate that

  • More than 7,413,000 acres of forests were wiped out.

  • Seven natural reserves are ruined or have disappeared.

  • Six hydrographic river basins were affected.

• Millions of trees were destroyed, thus increasing the chances of erosion and flooding and landslides which continue to be reported even two weeks after Felix’s run.

• Hurricane Felix also ripped out large quantities of coconut, banana and mango trees, depriving inhabitants of basic foods. The upcoming harvest of rice and other vital crops has been lost, and due to salt water damage to fields it is expected that December’s harvest may be lost or severely reduced.

• Communities have lost all their crops and food reserves, which is going to aggravate the already severe level of malnutrition in the area, where chronic malnutrition is estimated at 24 percent as compared to the national average of 16 percent. Livestock as well as wild animals suffered a great toll.

• Extensive damage has also been reported among those living as much as 65 miles back from the coastline.

• R<escuers and aid workers have struggled to reach remote villages, and so the full extent of the death and destruction is unknown.

• The logistics of all emergency and rehabilitation activities is very complex, which increases costs for both transport of supplies and personnel.

• The affected population is still in need o f water, medicines, food (especially powder milk and baby formula), bedding, flashlights, batteries, pampers, feminine hygiene and kitchen items (pots, pans, plastic plates, cups/glass).

• An urgent call is being made for building materials, including carpentry tools, motor hand saws, saws, nails, hammers, picks, etc. If anyone has a contact with any of the hardware stores, your intercession would be greatly appreciated.

• Important Note: In terms of food, rice and beans are staples of their diet. Rice and bean packets are the best source of energy they could receive. When we think relief food, we sometimes think of cans and non-perishable like that. Keep in mind that these people do not have can openers and most are not even aware of 'pork n beans' or peanut butter.

• Local Lions Clubs can drop off donations to: 2201 SW 1 Street – Miami.

As soon as the container is filled it will be sent.

• Your monetary donations will be greatly appreciated as transportation of donated goods is a serious problem, and great expenses are being incurred transporting the goods to the impacted communities. Additionally, rice and beans can be purchased locally in Miami, at a much cheaper price than having it shipped to Miami.

• Please make all checks payable to Miami Nicaraguan Lions Club with a memo reading “Hurricane Felix”.
  
  

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