The first wave of ShelterBox aid has arrived in Texas the form of blankets, groundsheets, school kits, and solar lamps, plus an initial provision of hundreds of tents.
These tents may be used as privacy tents in local shelters where large numbers of families are being housed in tightly-packed settings. That will allow for some semblance of privacy during medical treatment, childcare, and a host of other critical options.
As we enter the long Labor Day Weekend, here is a brief look at how Labor Day itself became a formal national holiday.
From the U.S. Department of Labor:
“Through the years the nation gave increasing emphasis to Labor Day. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed during 1885 and 1886. From these, a movement developed to secure state legislation.
“The first state bill was introduced into the New York State Legislature, but the first to become law was passed by Oregon on February 21, 1887. During the year four more states — New York, Colorado, Massachusetts, and New Jersey — created the Labor Day holiday by legislative enactment.
“By the end of the decade, Connecticut, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania had followed suit. By 1894, 23 other states had adopted the holiday in honor of workers, and on June 28 of that year, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbia and the
territories.”
For a more complete look at the history of Labor Day, as well as links to related stories and information, just click here
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.
That was Xavier Schmitt’s reaction to his latest batch of Star Wars building pieces received as part of SRC’s continuing “Project Legos” gift package.
That’s the word from his maternal grandma, Debbie Rodriguez. She also reports that Xavier is doing well in his lengthy treatment for leukemia, and is looking forward to the new school year.
Project coordinator Jim Leyhane was pleased with financial contributions made by Rotarians and guests who attended the final “Summer Casual” event last week at Eastwyck Village. But, as always, all projects can use ongoing assistance, so please see Jim if you would like to help out.
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.”
Our Club Calendar is a great source of information not only about what our club is doing, but what is going on throughout District 7190 and sometimes beyond it. Some social stuff, some serious meetings stuff, and a lot of things in between.
Make a practice of checking it out either by going directly to the club Facebook page, or by going to the website calendar page and clicking on the link. (The website also displays the individual program assignments for the entire year, so don’t forget to see what dates you’ve been assigned.)
Here’s what the Facebook calendar page looks like as of this morning:
A chicken teriyaki dinner, hosted by Ray and Lois Hannan on Thursday evening, finished off Southern Rensselaer County Rotary’s very busy “Summer Casual Schedule” of picnics, pool parties, and field trips.
It also marked the end of our annual events at Eastwyck Village, where the Hannans reside — until Wednesday. That’s when they will be moving to a new home nearby. SRC thanks them for their gracious hosting efforts during their time at Eastwyck.
We had nearly two dozen people at dinner. Among the Rotarians were, of course, Ray, as well as Roberto Martinez, Bill and April Dowd, Murray and Maggie Forth, Pat Bailey, Jim Leyhane, Dick Drumm, Debbie Rodriguez, Carol Orvis, Dean and Doris Calamaras, and prospective member Adam Roberts who has submitted his membership application.
And, among the guests were, of course, Lois, Adam’s girlfriend Kasie Burrello, Eastwyck friends Josie Fasanaro and Eileen Hempstead, Jeremy Forth, and Beth Hannan Vogel (Ray’s and Lois’s daughter) and her husband Brandon and their kids Colin and Keegan.
The club now is taking a mini-vacation until we resume our weekly dinner meetings at 6:15 p.m. on Thursday, September 7. President Roberto will be delivering a talk on the activities and goals for the club for the remainder of the 2017-18 Rotary Year.
Meanwhile, here are some other scenes from the Eastwyck dinner:
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary’s 4th annual “School Supplies Drive” for students in the Rensselaer City School District was a major success this summer.
Andy Leyhane, in his first year as project coordinator, delivered a trove of supplies today for high school and elementary students to Circles of Mercy, the Rensselaer family services agency.
“We really appreciate the ongoing relationship we have with SRC,” said Richard Zazycki, Circles’ executive director. “We have a crew of volunteers all set to start dividing up and packaging all the donations for the kids. This is going to make a difference.”
Andy, by the way, got into the spirit of the “kids helping kids” motto SRC has been using as part of the effort, as you can tell by these shots of his helpers.
And, a final thank-you to all SRC Rotarians and friends for their generosity once again this year.
We will wind up our “Summer Casual” schedule at 6 p.m. Thursday, August 24, when Ray and Lois Hannan host a dinner at Eastwyck Village.
Please be sure to email them at ray110b@yahoo.com no later than Tuesday to let them know if you are or are not planning to attend and whether you’re bringing guests.
There will be no charge for dinner, although there will be a donation box for contributions to Jim Leyhane’s “Project Legos” effort.
The menu:
teriyaki chicken
pasta salad
tossed salad
rolls and butter
soft drinks, iced tea, coffee, water
Several people have volunteered to bring a small appetizer or dessert, but more are welcome. Anyone who wants beer, wine or a cocktail is welcome to BYOB.
We hope to see you at Eastwyck Village (click here for directions), after which we will be off until we resume our weekly dinner meetings at Quigley’s on Thursday, September 7, Labor Day week.
You undoubtedly know your Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club has a website. We’ve mentioned it often enough. And, we’ve also often mentioned our Facebook page, which you can access by using the link on the website.
But, have you seen our notices about our Twitter account? If you’re a Twitter user, check it out. Here’s a screengrab of what you would see this evening.
Southern Rensselaer County Rotary Club 