Shelter From the Storms

In case you’ve never heard of a ShelterBox, it’s a big green box filled with lifesaving items for families the world over who have lost their homes due to a disaster. The ShelterBox headquarters are right here in Santa Barbara. They recently had a virtual fundraiser, livestreamed, and raised more than $250,000. Since 2000, ShelterBox has provided shelter, warmth, and hope following more than 300 disasters in more than 100 countries.

They serve the more vulnerable families who have been displaced due to earthquake, volcano, flood, hurricane, cyclone, tsunami, or conflict. Kerri Murray, the president of ShelterBox USA, hosted an hourlong event and had 1,150 people from across the country registered to watch. Presenting sponsors were BD Corporation and Yardi Systems.

Kerri had ShelterBox Response Team Members in attendance sharing experiences from their field deployments all over the world. We saw pictures of families who lost their homes in Vanuatu South Pacific following Cyclone Harold and refugees displaced due to the COVID-19 pandemic who now live at the Minawao Refugee Camp in Cameroon. We also saw scenes from the frontlines of the Syrian crisis where ShelterBox provided more than 250,000 displaced people with emergency shelter, essential household items and more.

ShelterBox has aid pre-positioned in strategic locations across the world which enables them to ensure the timely deployment of needed items. Rotary International received the 2020 Global Humanitarian Service Award from ShelterBox recognizing their outstanding partnership throughout the years. In 2000 ShelterBox was first adopted as a millennium project by the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard (UK). 

As Kerri said, “I am inspired and filled with gratitude by the outpouring of support during our first virtual event. People from across the world came together to learn about  the lifesaving work of ShelterBox. Whether disaster, conflict, or now the global pandemic, shelter is critical to reducing the spread of the disease.” 

Rotary International is a Project Partner of ShelterBox. You can make a tax deductible donation at www.ShelterBoxUSA.org or by calling 805-608-2400.