In Gujarat’s Maliadhara village, a family stepped out of their home after the cyclone passed to find their roof lying half a kilometer away in the fields. Heavy rains had soaked food grains, ruined blankets, and destroyed essential supplies. The severe winds and torrential rain that struck parts of Valsad and Navsari districts on September 27, 2025, turned the festive days of Navratri into scenes of devastation. Villages including Maliadhara, Majigaam, Sindhai, Sadakpor, and surrounding areas were among the worst affected, with several homes damaged and families left struggling for shelter, food, and basic necessities.
Into this crisis, Chikhli Lions Club, District 3232-F2, stepped in with urgency and intent. The very next morning, a community kitchen was set up to serve hot meals to displaced families. District Governor Mona Desai’s swift appeal mobilized Lions across the district, raising Rs.2.75 lakhs in donations, including Rs.50,000 from the District Service Fund. For seven days, affected families received cooked meals twice daily as Lions from Gandevi, Amalsad, Bilimora and other clubs contributed time, effort and resources.
The response expanded beyond immediate relief. District Governor Mona Desai secured a US$15,000 Emergency Disaster Relief Grant from Lions Clubs International Foundation (LCIF). Lions Clubs of Chikhli and Amalsad jointly identified 1,200 families across the region. Each household received a month’s supply of groceries—pulses, rice, wheat flour, oil, sugar, tea, spices, salt and legumes—along with blankets. Lions Clubs of Vapi Integrated and Vapi Royal distributed tarpaulin sheets to help families create temporary shelter.
On October 16, 2025, just ahead of Diwali, the families gathered at Tejalav Ashram School and a community hall in Chikhli to receive their supplies. What began as immediate nourishment evolved into sustained support, allowing families the stability to begin rebuilding their lives. rebuild with dignity.
The effort was guided by Region 4 Chairperson Bhavin Nayak, and supported by District Coordinator for Food For Hunger Sharad Patel, Maulik Nayak from Gandevi Lions Club, President Paras Vithlani of Chikhli Lions Club, and the collective efforts of Lions across the district. When storms disrupt lives, service restores foundations.
