When we hear about emergency efforts from ShelterBox, it usually involves foreign nations. However, sometimes the help is needed closer to home.
Here is a statement from the ShelterBox organization issued Friday as it was poised to render any aid needed as a result of Hurricane Harvey:
Wondering how to donate most effectively to ShelterBox? Check with
Bill Dowd, SRC’s ShelterBox Liaison Officer.
“Hurricane Harvey, now a Category 2 hurricane, is heading for the Texas coast and is expected to make landfall late today or early Saturday. Harvey, described as a life-threatening storm, has the potential to bring up to 20 inches of rainfall, storm surges up to four feet, and 100 mph winds in what could be the fiercest hurricane to hit the U.S. since Hurricane Wilma in 2005.
“The storm has the potential to cause catastrophic flooding that could result in structural damage to buildings and complete destruction to mobile homes.
“ShelterBox USA has been in continuous contact with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to discuss potential shelter options for displaced people and repair options for damaged homes, including the provision of ShelterBox Tents and ShelterKits, to help families displaced by flooding or storm surge.
“ShelterBox Operations will continue to monitor the storm and activate an immediate response if needed. The ShelterBox USA-based Response Team members, several of whom live in Texas, are standing by to assist in the delivery of aid to impacted areas.
“This week marks the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. That storm devastated communities all along the coasts of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi with hurricane-force winds and a storm surge that sent walls of water several miles inland. It was estimated that 80% of New Orleans was completely flooded.
“Aid from ShelterBox was the first help to reach many survivors of the disaster. Response Team volunteers worked with local Rotarians, government officials and partner agencies to distribute tents to thousands of people who had seen their homes and possessions destroyed.”
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.
Anyone in need of a few — well, OK, a LOT — of laughs would be well advised to attend a performance of the rollicking musical comedy “Monty Python’s Spamalot” at the Mac-Haydn Theatre in Columbia County. That was the latest event on SRC’s “Summer Casual Schedule.”
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 