ShelterBox tent pitched in a field with Rotary logoShelterBox was founded in 2000 to fill the need for temporary shelter at times of natural disasters; up until that time, medical aid and food had been the priorities, leaving victims without shelter or the means to cook their own food. The Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard in Cornwall, England adopted ShelterBox as its millennium project in 2000, and in 2012 ShelterBox became Rotary International’s first project partner.

ShelterBox kit componentsThe Rotary Club of Bowen Island in its Charter Year, responded to the massive tsunami that hit Japan and collected over $15,000.00 from Bowen islanders for ShelterBox; in 2013, our Club responded to the Typhoon Haiyan disaster, raising $5,000.00 for ShelterBox; and in 2015, our Club responded to the massive series of earthquakes that hit Nepal, raising over $11,000.00 for ShelterBox.

Each ShelterBox kit is packed in a resilient box, which includes a tent, blankets, insulated ground sheets, room divider, mosquito nets, a multi-fuel stove, a cooking stove, pots and pans, utensils, a tool kit with saw, hammer, and axes, and a solar powered light. There is even a small kit for children that includes crayons and note paper.

ShelterBox responds immediately to world disasters to provide this lifesaving emergency shelter and supplies. ShelterBox Canada is a charitable organization that will take donations at any time of year. Visit ShelterBox Canada (https://www.shelterboxcanada.org/).