ShelterBox Representative, McMurray Rotarian Shares Philanthropy

You may recall the recent floods in Colombia—the worst in the country's history—and the tornadoes in Arkansas. Perhaps you've been reading about continuous flooding in China? ShelterBox has responded and is on alert providing disaster relief, all while uniting communities and community members.

McMurray Rotarian Dr. Steve Morreale speaks wonders of this program, and serves as the local ShelterBox representative in western Pennsylvania. 

So what exactly is ShelterBox? 

According to its website, ShelterBox is the premier international aid organization that provides shelter and life-saving equipment. The program instantly responds to earthquake, volcano, flood, hurricane, cyclone, tsunami or conflict and has delivered aid following more than 140 disasters in more than 70 countries.

Each box contains the supplies needed for an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and life-saving equipment to use while displaced or homeless. The contents are tailored depending on the nature and location of the disaster. 

The McMurray Rotary Club has a complete ShelterBox available for presentations and educational programs to increase community awareness of ShelterBox's important mission.

ShelterBox and the McMurray Rotary Club rely entirely on donations. When disaster strikes, ShelterBox aims to get aid to the affected areas as fast as possible with specially trained teams of volunteers known as the ShelterBox Response Team. 

That being said, the program needs to draw immediately from its existing resources when disaster strikes. ShelterBox has no political or religious affiliation. Its priority is to deliver shelter to the most needy following a disaster. 

If you'd like to make a donation, visit Team Western Pennsylvania's website. For more information on ShelterBox, visit the program's website. Once you've donated, you can track your box.

If one hundred donors give $10 each, an entire ShelterBox ($1,000) can be sent to help 10 people.

Stop by the McMurray Rotary Club booth at this Saturday—Morreale says a ShelterBox may be making an appearance.