Quevillon addresses Lions Club

President Gloria Christopherson called the Dec. 1 meeting of the Vermillion Lions Club to order at 6 p.m. �President Christopherson reported that Lions Barbara Campbell, Charles Estee, and Allen Johnson, as well as herself, had attended the Zone meeting at Yankton on Nov. 21.�While there, activities of the Vermillion Lions Club were reviewed and the Biker Breakfast project (which benefited the W. H. Over Museum) was an item of interest to those present.�

Lion Darlis LaBahn reported that the Christmas party would be held on Dec. 15 at the Winery.�Members were requested to bring canned goods to the meeting.� These will be used to fill Christmas boxes with any surplus going to the Food Pantry.�

Lion Allen Johnson reported on the progress of this endeavor. The Rotary Club will partner with the Lions to help with this annual project. The boxes will be packed on Dec. 18 and volunteers are welcome.

Lion Allen Johnson introduced Dr. Randal Quevillon, chair of the Psychology Department at USD and member of the Disaster Mental Health Institute (DMHI) at USD. In reviewing the establishment of the DMHI, Dr. Quevillon referred to the institute as a "local phenomenon" which had its beginning in 1989 when Drs. Quevillon, Jacobs, and Stricherz along with 13 graduate students traveled to Sioux City, IA at the site of a plane crash at the Gateway Airport.�

Because they were unable to gain entrance to the airport proper, they went to where the survivors were � either in the local hospitals or at Briar Cliff College. These first responders provided psychological support and spiritual support for the 114 survivors; there were 128 casualties. They also found that it was family members arriving at Sioux City who needed help.�

Jane Morgan of the American Red Cross, which was the group under which the DMHI first worked, decided that this type of innovative support was welcome and invaluable and Dr. Gerard Jacobs became the first coordinator. ��

There is a large scope of services offered by the DMHI and support is offered to a range of people from survivors to morgue workers.� They have responded to 911, earthquakes, the Tsunami, and the recent coastal storms.�