Dexter Lions Club Members Provide Ongoing Support for Tornado Families

As Dexter residents continue to make repairs following the March 15 tornado that damaged more than 100 homes, the is reaching out, providing gift cards and other essentials to families in need.

A day after the tornado struck the subdivisions of Carriage Hills in Dexter Township and Huron Valley Farms in the village, Lions members applied to Lions International for an emergency $10,000 grant.

"We saw the destruction firsthand and it was just unbelievable," Lion Richard Dettling said. "It's an overwhelming feeling to see that Mother Nature can be in charge when she wants to be."

Dettling said within 24 hours the grant request was approved, and money has been used to purchase gift cards from Meijer and to help families purchase food and clothes.

"People were declining the gift cards at first, but gradually they've come to realize that the gift cards can help if they are staying at a friend or relative's house temporarily," he said.

Most of the $10,000 has been dispersed, but other Lions Clubs in Manchester, Stockbridge, Jackson and Ann Arbor have been sending donations to Dexter as well, Dettling said.

"This week we helped a woman who needed a new mattress and another resident needed a pair of glasses," he said. "We know there is still a lot of need, and we encourage people to contact us.

"It's a good feeling to be out in the community talking with people and hearing their stories. Our motto is, 'we serve," and that's what we want to do," Dettling said.

To apply for emergency funds through the Lions Club, visit http://www.dexterlions.org/ or email dexterlions@gmail.com.