Recent efforts of the Petersburg Rotary Club raised over $2,500 for ShelterBox, the international aid organization that provides shelter, tools and other living essentials to families facing recent disaster.
In response to the earthquake that devastated Turkey and Syria recently, the Petersburg Rotary Club raised over $2,500 for ShelterBox, the international aid organization that provides shelter, tools and other living essentials to families facing recent disaster.
As part of the Clubs International Area of Service, the local Club decided to keep the tradition of raising ShelterBox funds, usually spearheaded by their Inbound Rotary Exchange Student, active for the 2022-23 year. "Since we don't have an Exchange Student in Petersburg this year," said David Berg, Local Exchange Coordinator, "we decided that the need was still there and decided to go ahead with the project."
ShelterBox is an international disaster relief organization that provides emergency shelter and vital supplies to people affected by natural disasters, conflicts, and other crises around the world. The organization was founded in 2000 by a group of Rotarians from Cornwall, UK, and has since responded to over 300 disasters in more than 100 countries, helping more than 2 million people.
ShelterBox's main mission is to provide shelter and essential aid to those who have lost everything due to disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and conflicts. The organization delivers aid in the form of ShelterBoxes, which are big, sturdy green boxes containing a family-sized tent, blankets, water purification equipment, cooking utensils, a stove, and other essential items to help people survive in the immediate aftermath of a disaster.
In addition to ShelterBoxes, the organization also provides ShelterKits, which contain tools and materials for people to repair and rebuild their homes, and SchoolBoxes, which contain educational materials for children affected by disasters.
ShelterBox works closely with local and international partners to ensure that aid is delivered quickly and efficiently to those who need it most. The organization relies on the support of individual donors, corporate partners, and fundraising events to continue its work.
Petersburg Rotary is proud to continue to be a supporter of ShelterBox as part of their commitment to International Service.