By: Anish Koshy PMJF
District LCIF Coordinator, District 318B
It was June 8, 2024, at Hyderabad — another session of the usual LCIF India Schooling under the ISAME region. But for me, it was far from “usual.” It was my first-ever experience attending a training as part of the LCIF ISAME region and my first steps into a new role, District LCIF Coordinator for District 318B!
Despite holding various leadership positions in the past, including Club President and Zone Chair, this role carried a unique weight. LCIF has always fascinated me. The precision, the discipline, the impact — it was an organization I admired deeply since the beginning of my journey in Lionism. As President, I had led my club to become the first-ever ‘100 by 100’ Club in the ISAME region. Later, as Zone Chair, I had the privilege of guiding all clubs in my zone to become Model Clubs, forming a rare Model Zone. But this new responsibility was different. It came with both excitement and anxiety.
Our District Governor had given a bold commitment of US$75,000 as our target for the year. I looked back at our district’s 13-year history and found that the highest ever contribution was approximately US$59,000 in 2021–2022. We had never crossed the US$60,000 mark. The thought of such a huge leap weighed heavily on me as I took my seat at the training sessions.
And then, in the middle of one session, two statements changed everything!
The then LCIF Trustee PID Vijay Kumar Raju and current Trustee PID G. S. Hora issued a compelling call. They urged all LCIF Coordinators to make their own contributions to the Foundation within the first 10 days of the new Lionistic year.
That call resonated deeply with me. It sparked an idea, what if we launched a districtwide initiative to do the same?
And so, the “LCIF 10 in 10 Initiative” was born!
With the approval and encouragement of our Area Leader V. Amarnath, we set the stage. The plan was simple yet ambitious: mobilize all Zone Chairs and Club Presidents to raise maximum funds in the first 10 days of the Lionistic year. To energize the drive, we added an incentive, winners would get an exclusive opportunity to interact with our Foundation Chair.
The response? Unbelievable!
Within those ten days, two clubs, Travancore Emirates and Meenachil Overseas, each contributed an astounding US$10,000. Our Region 14, comprising three zones, collectively raised over US$40,000. By the end of the very first month, District 318B had already crossed the US$65,000 mark, shattering our 13-year record!
And we didn’t stop there. Today, as the Lions year comes to a close, I am proud to share that District 318B has not only met our target, we have exceeded it. We are closing the year with a remarkable contribution in excess of US$85,000 in LCIF contributions.
Through the LCIF 10 in 10 initiative, we have created history. But more than that, we have ignited a spirit of collective purpose, of bold leadership, and of believing in the impossible.
To every Lion who contributed to this journey, a big thank you! Let this story stand as a beacon for what can be achieved when inspiration meets action!
Yes, together we can, and together we did!