The United Nations has asked ShelterBox to meet an urgent need for an estimated 1.2 million victims of the Sinjar Mountain conflict.
“We are currently in partnership with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED) in Iraq,” said Graham Mann, ShelterBox Canada Ambassador. “Kimberley Rotary Club has set a goal of raising $10,000 for Iraq in 2014.”
Kimberley Rotary Club looks forward to participating at the 2014 Kimberley Community Fall Fair on September 27 and 28. The ever-popular ShelterBox tent and equipment booth will be there. Rotarians will be available to answer your questions, take your donations and provide anyone who visits the display with a $5 discount food voucher from Grubstake Pizza.
Since Kimberley Rotary first introduced ShelterBox at the Community Fall Fair in September 2008, over $121,000 has been raised. In 2010 Haiti received 28,417 ShelterBoxes, thanks to a world-wide appeal. In 2011 the City of Kimberley purchased six boxes for Annaka, our sister city in Japan. In 2013 following news of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines Kimberley donated over $18,000 in 37 days which was all matched by the Canadian Government.
In 2008 a ShelterBox cost $1,200, including transportation to anywhere in the world. In 2009 this cost was reduced to $1,000. With increased costs, it was necessary in June 2014 to return to the $1,200 level of 2008. This is easy to understand when we consider our own escalating transportation costs.
The proven record of ShelterBox and its ShelterBox Response Teams has gained the confidence of UNICEF, The World Health Organization, The International Red Cross, Rotary International and the Canadian Government, who are all active partners of ShelterBox. ShelterBox Canada has recognized Kimberley as one of the leading ShelterBox supporter in Canada. Our record speaks for itself.
Disasters are always with us. 2014 has been another busy year for ShelterBox. ShelterBox Response Teams remain in the Philippines where they delivered boxes to over 7,000 families. They are currently helping recipients rebuild their lives with a participatory film-making project. Flooding in Paraguay has affected 200,000 people. Working with the Paraguayian Red Cross ShelterBox is planning aid for 70,000 who are homeless. Bosnia, Herzogovina and Serbia experienced the worst flooding in decades as thousands are forced from their homes. A special delivery of 1,500 mosquito nets has been deployed as mosquito-borne diseases are on the rise. Nepal has also been hit by floods, landslides destroying thousands of homes and businesses.
A ShelterBox costs $1,200 which includes all transportation costs to anywhere in the world. Donations are gratefully accepted online at shelterboxcanada.org; at the Kootenay Savings Credit Union (cheques payable to Kimberley Rotary Club); or you can also donate to a ShelterBox jar at Grubstake Pizza. For any questions contact Graham Mann at 250-427-5057 or email gmann@shelterboxvolunteer.org.
The Kimberley Rotarians look forward to seeing you at the Community Fall Fair on September 27 and 28.