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ShelterBox founded by British search and rescue diver

Founded in 2000, the non-profit ShelterBox is about to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

In 2008, ShelterBox covered 75 disasters and delivered aid to its 50th country.

The organization's Web site, www.shelterboxusa.org, says more than 100,000 people were helped with 10,482 boxes in 2008.

The most recent ShelterBox delivery prior to the Haiti crisis took place in December to assist flood victims of Burkina Faso in Africa.

The Web site attributes the founding of ShelterBox to Tom Henderson of the United Kingdom.

A Rotary member, he had been a search and rescue diver for the Royal Navy.

During his service, he recognized the need for victims to have temporary shelter after an earthquake, tornado, cyclone, drought, volcanic eruption, flooding or political upheaval.

Last fall, Tiffin Rotary Club hosted a program about ShelterBox at one of the regular meetings. The speaker, Judy Riggle, not only described a ShelterBox, but she also set up a display so that club members could inspect the package they were being asked to purchase.

"She presented and we set up a tent and showed the supplies for a family of 10 to survive a disaster like the recent one in Haiti," said Rotary president, Robert Dornauer. "It appears that the ShelterBox our local Rotary Club purchased in December 2009 will be shipped to Haiti."

The club made a donation of $1,000 to purchase a large plastic storage box with a lid. Inside is a lightweight tent that can house as many as 10 people. According to information online at www.shelterboxusa.org, the tents are designed to withstand extreme temperatures, high winds and heavy rainfall. Recipients can divide the interior space with built-in privacy partitions.

The ShelterBox also includes thermal blankets and insulated ground sheets. In tropical climates, mosquito nets are enclosed to prevent the spread of malaria. Because water usually is contaminated after a disaster, the boxes contain water purification kits. In addition to water vessels, the recipients are given eating utensils, plates and a cook stove that can burn "anything from diesel to old paint."

Every box also has a basic tool kit containing a hammer, axe, saw, trenching shovel, hoe head, pliers and wire cutters. People can use these tools to improve their immediate environment and/or to rebuild or repair the homes they had to leave. Finally, a children's pack is supplied with drawing books, crayons and pens. All the items are new and durable. The 40-gallon, waterproof box itself can serve many purposes. When fully packed it weighs between 110 and 130 pounds.

Volunteers keep a variety of supplies on hand to equip the boxes with the most practical items, based on the nature of the disaster. Whenever boxes are deployed, the ShelterBox warehouse is emptied. Donations of any amount are combined with others to cover the cost of a complete box. Donors cannot specify the destination of a given box. The organization sends them to where they are most needed, sometimes in as little as 48 hours after a request.

Donations can be made online through the Web site. To donate by mail, send checks to ShelterBox USA, 8374 Market St., #203, Lakewood Ranch, FL 34202. The e-mail address is info@shelterboxusa.org and the phone number is (941) 907-6036.

A tax-deductible receipt, noting the box number that was funded, is sent for all donations submitted with a mailing address.Founded in 2000, the non-profit ShelterBox is about to celebrate its 10th anniversary.

In 2008, ShelterBox covered 75 disasters and delivered aid to its 50th country.

The organization's Web site, www.shelterboxusa.org, says more than 100,000 people were helped with 10,482 boxes in 2008.

The most recent ShelterBox delivery prior to the Haiti crisis took place in December to assist flood victims of Burkina Faso in Africa.

The Web site attributes the founding of ShelterBox to Tom Henderson of the United Kingdom.

A Rotary member, he had been a search and rescue diver for the Royal Navy.

During his service, he recognized the need for victims to have temporary shelter after an earthquake, tornado, cyclone, drought, volcanic eruption, flooding or political upheaval.