ShelterBox is a remarkable organization founded with a simple yet powerful vision: to provide emergency shelter and essential supplies to people affected by disasters and humanitarian crises worldwide. Since its inception in 2000, ShelterBox has been a beacon of hope for those who find themselves displaced, vulnerable, and in urgent need of assistance.
Fellow Kenosha Club Rotarian Fran Wargolet shared her passion, commitment, and history with the ShelterBox organization. She thanked the Elmbrook Rotary Club for their past support and funding for this great cause.
Recently, Fran and her daughter participated in a fundraising 30-mile hike around Yosemite National Park for ShelterBox. To date they have raised $16,000… congratulations and thank you!
The history and impact of ShelterBox:
- From Humble Beginnings:
- ShelterBox was officially launched in the year 2000. The initial hope was to assist 8 to 10 families annually.
- Each ShelterBox contained essential items: a family-sized tent, sleeping bags, water purification tablets, a trenching tool, and basic cookware.
- Global Impact:
- ShelterBox quickly expanded its reach. Since 2000, its staff and volunteers have helped shelter more than 1.5 million people across over 100 countries.
- Their response isn’t limited to a specific type of disaster; they’ve stepped in after earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, typhoons, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, and even conflict situations.
- Rotary Connection:
- ShelterBox has strong ties to Rotary International. In 2000, the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard adopted ShelterBox as its millennium project.
- Affiliates sprouted across the globe, including ShelterBox USA, which was adopted as a project by the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota, FL.
- The collaboration between ShelterBox and Rotary has been instrumental in their success and impact.
- A Signatory to Compassion:
- ShelterBox adheres to the Red Cross Code of Conduct, emphasizing the dignity, respect, and impartiality with which they provide aid.
- Their commitment extends beyond immediate relief – they enable families to rebuild their lives by ensuring they have a safe place to call home.
Fran reviewed the various operational components, number of volunteers, response capabilities, resource availability and worldwide tracking of events. There is a ShelterBox “team with the sole purpose and dedication, is to monitor the world, to look at what is going on, and to determine whether or not we need to send response teams to those areas”. As a result, ShelterBox can respond to a need anywhere in the world quickly and efficiently.
What is in a ShelterBox or Bag and how much does it cost?
- Shelter essentials – toolkit, 2 tarps, and rope
- Family health kit – mosquito nets, water filter, water carriers, and hygiene kit
- Kitchen set – pots, pans, and utensils
- Blankets and mattresses – for a family of 5
- Family tent and solar lights
- Children activity pack
- The complete shelter package costs $1,000
- For a family to have their own shelter versus being housed in a large venue is huge… “they become part of a community” … when families can have their own living space alongside others, creating a temporary neighborhood.
Thank you, Fran for sharing the story of resilience, compassion, and unwavering dedication. ShelterBox continues to be a lifeline for those caught in the storm of disaster, offering not just shelter but also a glimmer of hope for a better tomorrow.
To learn more about ShelterBox, visit www.shelterbox.org.
