More than 30 of us attended the June 11 luncheon meeting to hear a presentation from ShelterBox Ambassador Don Crost who has been a Rotarian for 35 years and is currently a member of the Evanston Lighthouse Rotary Club. ShelterBox is now 25 years old and was started by Rotarians. It is now a partner organization with Rotary and has reached more than 3 million people in 100 countries. ShelterBox has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize three times, a testament to the important work they do around the world. Each box costs $1000 and can provide shelter and other life necessities for a family of 6. ShelterBox is actually moving to ShelterBags which are easier to transport around the world. Whatever natural and man made disaster you can think of, ShelterBox has likely been there -- earthquake in Morocco in 2023, famine in Somalia, war in Ukraine (where ShelterKits provide foam filler for bullet holes in homes). ShelterBox's first work in the United States was Hurricane Katrina and they have more recently provided much needed assistance in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene and in California following the wildfires. ShelterBox has a first responder team -- members undergo a year of training in preparation for this important work! If you are interested in donating, here is a link: https://www.shelterboxusa.org/
