William Penn Life, 2015 (50. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2015-08-01 / 8. szám
Charitable Ideas Ron Fowler isn’t clowning around in his efforts to aid the victims of this April’s deadly earthquake in Nepal Comic relief by Richard E. Sarosi On April 25, 2015, Ron Fowler was going to an ATM in Bhaktapur, Nepal, an ancient city of great cultural and historical importance, located about nine miles from the capital of Kathmandu. It was a normal activity on a day that would prove to be anything but normal. Ron, his wife Stacy and their daughter Millie live in Bhaktapur for three months each year; the rest of the year they live in Wickliffe, Ohio. Ron is better known to Branch 14 members and those who attend the branch's annual Christmas party as "Flower Clown." While in Nepal, Ron purchases his custom clown costumes, bags (for the Flower Clown balloon bag), supplies and other related items from the local markets and factories in Kathmandu and outlying areas. Unfortunately, at noon on April 25, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck Nepal and the surrounding countries. Many fragile homes and buildings-some up to 500 years old-were reduced to rubble within seconds. More recently built structures, many of which lacked proper reinforcements, could not stand the violent shaking and were destroyed as well. Ron said the area lies along a fault line which was responsible for the creation of the Himalayan Mountain range. We are glad to report that Ron and his family are safe and were able to return to their home in the Cleveland suburb of Wickliffe three days after the earthquake struck. After he returned home, Ron could not stop thinking and worrying about his friends and those individuals and businesses who were affected by the earthquake. Today, some of the factories Ron deals with are back in operation. He said that people are trying to return to a state of normalcy. Recently, a group of 15 college students working with the Lions Club International's Leo Club were in Nepal to help build shelters before the arrival of the monsoon season. Ron has started a venture called "Clevemandu.com," a non-profit fundraising organization to aid his friends, business associates and other survivors and victims of the earthquake in Nepal. Ron has also established an online outlet for the sale of Nepalese items with the proceeds from all sales going to aid those affected by the earthquake. Ron said there is still a need for food, tents, medicines and basic supplies. Even in the midst of death and disaster, Ron and Flower Clown were able to provide assistance and entertain people both young and old with balloon creations, a positive outlook and an upbeat personality. Ron was able to make a difference in so many lives and lifted the spirits, even if for a brief moment, to those who were suffering. A 7.8-magnitude earthquake killed more than 9,000 people and turned many homes and buildings in Nepal into piles of rubble. Ron Fowler (aka Flower Clown) did his best to bring smiles, laughter and a few moments of normalcy to the survivors. (Photos courtesy of Ron Fowler) Touched, by Ron's fraternal spirit, Branch 14 will be making a donation to help Ron in his efforts to aid the victims of the Nepal earthquake. I, for one, look forward to seeing Flower Clown again at the Branch 14 Christmas party in November. I hope he will be able to update us on the progress of his friends and contacts in Nepal as they rebuild their lives since that unforgettable day in April when so many lives were changed forever. William Penn Life ° August 2015 ° 11
