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Kimberley responds to Haiti and Iraq disasters

More donations arrive allowing Kimberley Rotary to donate to ShelterBox
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Rotary ShelterBox is on the ground whenever disaster strikes.

For the Bulletin

 

 

The generous donations recently given to ShelterBox Canada highlight Kimberley’s compassion for the victims of Haiti’s Matthew hurricane and the Iraq refugees.

Specialized aid equipment is now being provided to 12,000 victims in Haiti by way of ShelterKits that include tools and equipment to rebuild their homes, tents, solar powered lights (luminaids) and water purification kits.  Thanks to the Dutch Navy based in Curaçao, ShelterBox aid was shipped from ShelterBox’s Panama City warehouses to Port Au Prince.  The support and knowledge of local Haiti Rotary Clubs makes it possible to get the lifesaving aid directly to the disaster sites.

ShelterBox Response Team member Andre Bloemink from Fernie was part of the original team of six which arrived in Port Au Prince on October 7.  He prepared daily reports that were shared across Canada at www.shelterboxcanada.org.   Andre returned home on October 28 for a well-deserved rest.  The original team will be replaced by another fully-trained ShelterBox Response team of six volunteers.

Major news outlets give daily reports on the successful removal of ISIS in Iraq.  The earlier forecasts from UNICEF estimating that 1 million refugees would require shelter and aid as a result of this conflict are proving to be correct.  Numerous refugees’ centres have been set up with shelters and fresh water to accommodate thousands already fleeing for safety.  ShelterBox made a commitment to UNICEF to provide aid for 1 million.  Nearly one-half of this number will be children and School Boxes will be in high demand.  Each box provides supplies for 50 students with ShelterBox tents replacing the lost buildings.

Your initial support at the Kimberley Community Fall Fair made it possible for Kimberley Rotary to send $3,000 to ShelterBox Canada on September 28.   The second wave of support resulted in another cheque for $3,300 being mailed on October 26.

Would you like to form a small group to help raise funds for disaster victims?  Please contact Graham Mann, ShelterBox Ambassador at 250-427-5057 or email gmann@shelterboxvolunteer.org for more information.  Perhaps you could consider giving a ShelterBox donation as a Christmas gift.  What a fitting way to put the true spirit of Christmas back into holiday giving, from us who have so much to those who have so little!