In the following excerpt from the book entitled, Resilience and Renewal: The Story of Lions International and the Crisis of COVID-19, Past Lions International President Guðrún Björt Yngvadóttir who served her presidential term from 2018-2019 and was serving as Chairperson of Lions Clubs International Foundation when the global pandemic struck, shares how she was inspired by Lions around the world because Lions Club members worked together to emerge as an even stronger organization providing service to those in need:
“I was inspired by our strong clubs and strong members who didn’t want to give up. They were so creative in finding new ways to serve. I was very grateful to see that we wanted Lions to continue to be successful. I think that in the world, Lions saw their leaders and the staff, and all the officers, sending messages to encourage them, and they came back with their success stories. I think that we felt we are absolutely the Lions family. We are always talking about it: “We are a Lions’ family.” We are really helping each other and taking care of each other. We are strong together. We are Lions. Family. This was my feeling and inspiration.”
Michael Radon, in his review of Resilience and Renewal for the U.S. Review of Books wrote that “each interview reveals how their organization not only faced a massive challenge but also offered a chance to make a tremendous impact and difference, exiting the pandemic in an even better position to thrive in their mission. Although this story is inspiring enough on its own merits, hearing the moment-to-moment thought processes that guided this historic organization through troubled waters adds an extra layer of weight and power.”
If you want to read more about the inspirational way Lions International survived COVID-19, use this QR code provided below to order your own copy today! Proceeds from the sale of the book are donated to the LionsClubs International Foundation (LCIF) for humanitarian and disaster relief.
Past President Guðrún (right) and her husband and partner in service, Dr. Jon Bjarni Thorsteinsson join Lion Kathy and me at the 2023 Lions Clubs International Convention in Boston where we celebrated Lions of the world coming together in a show of solidarity and service after COVID-19.
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