LAC-MEGANTIC, Ont., Can. — Representatives of Rotary Clubs of District 7790, which consists of 23 clubs in  Maine and 31 in the province of Quebec, met on July 12 in the Club de Golf de Lac-Mégantic to begin the process of support to the victims of the explosions in Lac Megantic on July 7.

The District 7790 Lac-Megantic Relief Task Force will raise funds and coordinate other support programs to assist the community hit by one of the worst tragedies to happen in the country.

Past District Governor Jean-Hugues Laflamme, a member of the Rotary Club of Beauceville, will lead the task force. Laflamme has been in contact with the city of Lac-Mégantic and requested that city officials and their partner relief organizations direct the Rotarians in the process of support. Assistance will come in the manner of financial support as well as in human resources to support specific needs determined by the community.

All funds generated by the task force and Rotary clubs will be directed in total to the relief efforts in Lac-Mégantic. It is anticipated that, in addition to their financial contributions, Rotarians from throughout the district and beyond may take part in “on the ground” service over several years to the community as the opportunities present themselves.

Contributions will be sought from Rotary clubs and from individual Rotarians and non-Rotarians. Rotary International is the collection of Rotary clubs throughout the world. District 7790 is composed of 1,800 members.

For more information, visit the district website, www.ri7790.org under the banner “Support Lac Megantic.”