Elmhurst Rotary Donates $22,000 to ShelterBox Philippines Disaster Relief

Source: Elmhurst Rotary

Elmhurst Rotary Club has donated $22,000 to ShelterBox USA. These funds and other donations from the community will be used for the purchase of ShelterBox tents and life-saving equipment to aid victims of the earthquake and typhoon in the Philippines.

“ShelterBox has been working relentlessly in the Philippines since Nov. 9 to provide emergency shelter and relief to communities affected by Super Typhoon Haiyan, the largest recorded storm to reach landfall,” said Elmhurst Rotarian Mark Dyer, a ShelterBox Response Team member.

Dyer returned Nov. 13 from a two-week deployment as the team leader to set up tent camps for earthquake survivors on the island of Bohol, which was devastated by a massive, 7.2-magnitude earthquake. Soon after, super typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines, killing thousands of people and leaving millions struggling in its aftermath. 

“For people affected by the earthquake, to be hit by this super storm was just catastrophic. There were trees down, roads washed out, flooding and debris everywhere,” Dyer said.

Thus far, ShelterBoxUSA has committed aid for 4,000 families in the Philippines, with more assistance planned. Three ShelterBox Response Teams are in Cebu City coordinating the shipment of ShelterBoxes to other areas of the Philippines affected by the largest recorded storm to reach landfall. 

“Elmhurst Rotary has been a strong supporter of the ShelterBox mission. We have contributed a total of $72,600 in the past to the Rotary international disaster relief charity that provides emergency shelter and aid assistance throughout the world,” said Bill Shanklin, club president. “In addition to the $22,000 we have now committed to the Philippines from our Charitable Trust Fund and our members’ personal donations, we are asking members of the community to help us in our fund-raising efforts."

Hundreds of thousands of men, women and children in the Philippines are homeless and without clean water or food in the wake of the typhoon, he said.

"Their situation is desperate, so we are encouraging individuals and organizations to consider their financial support," he said. "Your support will provide emergency shelter and the essential aid these families need to survive and start rebuilding their lives.”

More than 30 other clubs in Rotary International District 6450 are mounting similar fund-raising campaigns to provide shelter and comfort to typhoon victims.

A ShelterBox contains a tent that can accommodate a family of 10. Blankets, tools, water purification and cooking equipment and other items essential to survival are included. Highly trained ShelterBox Response Teams distribute boxes and supervise the erection of tent cities, working closely with local organizations, international aid agencies and Rotary clubs worldwide.

The price of a complete ShelterBox is $1,000. This includes the cost of all materials, packing, storage, transport worldwide and distribution to the needy. For the latest updates on the Philippines or to make a tax-deductible donation, visit www.shelterboxUSA.org. Your donation will make a dramatic impact.