By Anne Donofrio-Holter
In an effort to provide assistance to the 12 million Pakistanis rendered homeless or needing urgent assistance due to extreme flooding, the Arcadia Rotary Club embarked on a fundraiser last month to raise funds to provide temporary housing and other emergency supplies through the ShelterBox program.
“The news reports that a shocking 20 million people have been affected by the flooding with 10,000 schools leveled and 500 hospitals gone,” said Arcadia Rotary president-elect Dr. Brad Miller. “We set out to raise $5,000 and met the challenge with contributions from individuals, The Rotary Foundation and the Arcadia High School Interact Club.”
According to Miller, “the Arcadia club challenged local Rotary clubs who usually work on their own projects to work together to help save lives overseas.”
“Sierra Madre and Monrovia are working together to raise $5,000 and Pasadena Rotary has pledged support for a third $5,000,” said Miller. “For the $5,000 raised by our club alone, the Foundation and our Interact members, matching grants from Rotary International and District 5300 will raise the total to $17,000, enough to buy 17 ShelterBoxes that will shelter 170 people upon delivery.”
“We set out to raise $5,000 and send five shelter boxes to Pakistan,” said Arcadia Rotarian Eric Barter. With donations from the other clubs, and additional matching grants, to be able to send 51 ShelterBoxes shows the power of Rotary at work! It is amazing!”
Inside each ShelterBox is a tent that can house up to ten people for temporary shelter during disasters such as earthquakes or floods. ShelterBoxes also include items such as thermal blankets, cooking equipment and other lifesaving and comfort items, depending on the nature of the disaster, along with food and water purification supplies for up to three weeks.
“The Rotary Clubs of Rawilpindi and Islamabad in Pakistan are working with our clubs in the San Gabriel Valley to oversee the delivery and installation of the ShelterBoxes,” added Miller.
Tax deductable donations for the purchase of ShelterBoxes can be sent to the Arcadia Rotary Club, PO Box 660638, Arcadia, CA 91066. Checks should be made out to the Arcadia Rotary Club.
