Letters: Support Lion’s youth exchange program

To the editor:

Thank you for the article regarding Emanuele Benvenuti and his visit to Gig Harbor. For several years I arranged host families for youth visiting under the Lions International Youth Exchange Program. When I received the application from Emanuele, I noted his goal to become a physician and immediately contacted Deb Krishnadasan to see whether her family would host Emanuele. It was a great choice.

This year all exchanges were canceled due to the coronavirus. Activity for the future is presently unknown. Over the past 17 years the Key Peninsula Lions Club has arranged host families for youth from many parts of the world and arranged for many Northwest youth to travel and be hosted elsewhere thanks to the Lions Youth Exchange Program.

Although no exchanges are now taking place, youth between 16 and 22 who may wish to travel in the future should think of contacting a Lions Club. Exchanges are usually short, between 2 and 6 weeks during the summer when youth are out of school. Youth from the Southern Hemisphere usually travel in December and January. The program is designed for social relationships, rather than the educational quality of many programs. Youth meet and understand how others live, forming friendships that continue far into the future.

George Robison

Gig Harbor