Each Shelterbox supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and lifesaving equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless.

Following the recent devastation in the Phillipines brought on by Typhoon Ketsana, Rotary Sunrise decided to help and do their part to ease the burden of those affected in the Philippines by the recent disaster. Members passed the hat around at a recent club meeting to collect donations, and this was supplemented with cash from recent fundraisers.

As a result the club was able to donate three shelterboxes to the disaster victims in the Philippines.

Shelterbox is a non-profit organisation, established in 2000, with support from a Rotary club in the UK that provides emergency aid for victims, of natural and other disasters anywhere in the world.

The organisation has firmly established itself at the forefront of international disaster relief. The boxes are deployed worldwide in response to disasters. They contain a tent, bedding, cooking utensils and other basic needs to provide a shelter for 10 people. The organisation works with local Rotary clubs and other volunteers, so the financial overheads are minimal and the vast majority of donations end up with those who need it most.

Shelterboxes have been deployed in over 50 countries in the wake of 80 disasters. The sponsorship of one box is $1,000 US dollars including delivery.

Each box supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and lifesaving equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless. The contents are tailored depending on the nature and location of the disaster, with great care taken sourcing every item to ensure it is robust enough to be of lasting value. Each box bears its own unique number allowing donors to track their boxes all the way to its recipient country via the web.

Highly trained ShelterBox Response Teams distribute boxes on the ground, working closely with local organisations, international aid agencies and Rotary clubs worldFwide.

“We feel sorry for the people of the Philippines, who have to endure similar circumstances as we suffered from in the wake of hurricane Ivan.

After Ivan, the Rotary clubs of the Cayman Islands received over 1 million US dollars in donations from all over the world; this made such a difference in our community. This is our time to give back and show our support,” said Rotary Sunrise, President Winston Connolly.

Rotary Sunrise was chartered in 2002, has 93 members, mostly young professionals from Cayman and 23 other countries worldwide, having fun helping in the community. Rotary Sunrise meets every Wednesday for breakfast at 7.00 a.m. at Grand Old House, Grand Cayman.