Shelter Box

Oak Forest Rotary was pleased to welcome Mark Dyer (an Elmhurst Rotarian) as our March 17th speaker.  Mark is one of the American Response Team members in the International ShelterBox program.  Each individual Shelter Box provides emergency shelter and living supplies (minus food) for a family of 10 and is typically deployed after natural catastrophies, such as the recent earthquake in Haiti.  As of this week, 10,000 shelter boxes have been transported and set up for the Haiti earthquake survivors.  Starting as the brainchild of one Rotarian with the support of his Rotary club in year 2000 â€" ShelterBox has grown to become the largest Rotary Club project in the 100 year history of the organization. Rotarian support currently contributes an estimated 50% of ShelterBox donations. Around 5,000 rotary clubs worldwide have supported ShelterBox since it was launched. Recognizing this worldwide support from the Rotary community, ShelterBox was designated as a Global Rotary Club Project in 2009. Logos with this designation will now appear on all ShelterBoxes, tents, blankets and ancillary materials. ShelterBox is the only national aid organization that provides shelter and life-saving equipment. We instantly respond to earthquake, volcano, flood, hurricane, cyclone, tsunami or conflict and have helped over 100 disasters in more than 60 countries. Each box supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and lifesaving equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless. The contents are tailored depending on the nature and location of the disaster, with great care taken sourcing every item to ensure it is robust enough to be of lasting value. The cost of a box is $1,000 including delivery direct to those who need it. Each box bears its own unique number so as a donor you can track your box all the way to its recipient country via the website. Highly trained ShelterBox Response Teams distribute boxes on the ground, working closely with local organizations, international aid agencies and Rotary clubs worldwide. http://www.shelterboxusa.org