District 7780 looks to make a difference for the people of Lac Megantic

On July 6th, 2013 at 1:30am, a train carrying seventy-two tank cars was left unattended and careened out of control into the lakeside Downtown area of Lac Megantic in the Province of Quebec. Sixty-three tank cars derailed and spilled more than 1.5 million gallons of heavy crude oil. The oil flowed through storm drains, sewer lines, into the basements of commercial and residential buildings and finally into the lake itself. The fireball and explosions could be heard and seen from as far as twenty miles away. The heat damaged buildings in a 3000 foot radius.

In the end, forty-seven lives were lost. Businesses were totally destroyed including a bank, library, health clinic and shops. Law offices lost all their files and records. Even the fire station was damaged.

Hundreds of families fled the scene with no more than the clothes on their backs without knowing what happened. Many have still not been able to return home.

The local food pantry is exhausted. Hundreds have been laid off due to the loss of business, contaminated soils and the loss of railroad traffic. The small town of 5900 residents has expended available funds with no long term restitution made to date due to bankruptcy filings and lawsuits. The accident happened in Canada, where a social net is in place. As would be the case if this had happened in New England, local government and agencies aren’t prepared for a disaster of this magnitude. The number of homeless, jobless, lives lost, and impact on caregivers is overwhelming. Unfortunately, there is no longer a Rotary club in Lac Megantic. We are the region's Rotary neighbors!

We can't find jobs or replace parents, but we can make sure that the children of Lac Megantic have a slightly happier holiday and know that they have not been forgotten or their suffering ignored. The 7780 delegation was told time and time again that the most important thing we can bring to Lac Megantic is our caring and our love. We are committed to do just that!

The train wreck disaster in Lac-Megantic has imposed incredible hardships among the residents of this small, close-knit town. To show our support and spirit of caring, each club (and individual Rotarians) in District 7780 is encouraged to get involve in the following ways:

1. Adopt two or more children to provide holiday gifts. Allocate $100 per child for basic clothing and toys as indicated on their wish lists (to be provided)

2. Donate a minimum of $50 for the local food pantry. Each donated dollar can purchase up to $12 - $13 of food from the Provincial Food Bank.

3. Donate $50 to help purchase teddy bears to be distributed to 600 K - 6 grade students in the two elementary schools. This is a great opportunity to invite your Interact or EarlyAct clubs to get involved in this project!