A ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) has been activated to assess the need for emergency shelter in Houston and other nearby storm-impacted areas, including Louisiana, according to Sarah Robinson, director of fundraising and strategic partnerships for ShelterBox USA.
Bruce Heller, a Texas-based SRT member, said he is devastated to see so much of Texas under water.
“As a Rotarian and a ShelterBox Response Team Member I am proud to be able to respond in my home state of Texas where so many are suffering as a result of this storm. As people of action, the best thing Rotarians can do to help in moments like these is to lend support to trusted partners, like ShelterBox, who are experienced in disaster response and who can make sure aid is being allocated appropriately, where need is greatest.”
Robinson said, “What our team is finding is that, given the level of flooding encountered, our soft-sided ShelterBox tents offer a more viable solution at this time than our ShelterKits or Standard Relief Tents, and they are being considered for a ‘shelter-in-shelter’ system we’ve previously used in similar situations, such as the tsunami in Japan.
“These tents within an evacuation center would offer families a private space to help preserve dignity, security, and aid in the recovery process, particularly where extended stays are likely.
“ShelterBox is staging these tents, along with school kits and blankets, in a Dallas warehouse as it communicates with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and state agencies to determine urgent shelter and aid needs in the hurricane-devastated region.”
ShelterBox USA has launched a designated fund in support: the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund. And, 100% of all donations received will support all associated deployment costs with the ShelterBox response to Harvey.
Should ShelterBox USA raise funds in excess of what’s needed to respond to this particular crisis, the funds will be allocated to its “Deployment Essentials’” fund that provides support for all costs associated with ShelterBox worldwide deployments, including but not limited to, lifesaving equipment, response teams, transportation and collaboration with local or international partners.
ShelterBox relies on donations to do the disaster relief work around the world and here in the U.S. Rotarian support will help ensure more aid for those in Texas who are most in need. For information on how to make tax-deductible donations most effectively, please contact Bill Dowd, Southern Rensselaer County Rotary’s liaison officer for ShelterBox.
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary’s 4th annual “School Supplies Drive” for students in the Rensselaer City School District was a major success this summer.
Breakfast Meeting at Greenbush YMCA
MEETING TRANSITION — Responsibility for the monthly breakfast meetings, which have been shared by Terry Brewer and Shannon Romanowski, director of the YMCA where meetings are held, has been moved to Presidents-elect Jim Butterworth and Ron Annis, along with Shannon. Their “ownership” will begin with the September 21 meeting, at which Terry will speak on the topic of emergency preparedness. The club extends its gratitude to Terry for his efforts in establishing and nurturing the monthly meeting series for the past two years and its role in helping recruit new members.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE — Kevin Leyhane, who has submitted an application for Rotary membership, was welcomed by President Roberto Martinez. Also, Roberto has been in contact with Adam Roberts, an East Greenbush resident who was unable to come to this meeting but says he hopes to attend soon. He, too, has submitted an application. … Terry provided an update on the District 7190 Membership Committee on which he sits and noted the possibility of seeing some districts merged if membership drops too far. … On the club membership front, we still are looking to get some of the school district superintendents to join our club, perhaps under corporate membership. We have several other potential applicants in the pipeline. We did lose one short-term member, Bob DeBenedetti, who did not renew for 2017-18. Current paid membership is a strong 48, not counting two people with applications pending.
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 