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. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – by Anne Donofrio-Holter – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Some of the devastation due to recent floods in Pakistan -- photo courtesy of the Rotary Club of Rawilpindi.
After news reports that a 20 million people have been affected by the flooding, with 10,000 schools leveled and 500 hospitals gone, Arcadia Rotary president-elect Dr. Brad Miller said, “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.”
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 Arcadia club challenged local Rotary clubs who usually work on their own projects to work together to help save lives overseas,” Miller explained, noting that Sierra Madre and Monrovia are working together to raise $5000 and Pasadena Rotary has pledged a third $5000. Miller said the $5000 raised by the Arcadia group alone, along with 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.
Noting that with donations from the other clubs, and additional matching grants, local groups will be responsible for sending 51 ShelterBoxes, “It shows the power of Rotary at work!,” exclaimed Arcadia Rotarian Eric Barter, rfecalling the original goal to raise $5000 and send five shelter boxes to Pakistan. “It is amazing!”
“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.