Rotary Shelterbox
Dear Editor: The Sitka Rotary would like to thank generous Sitkans for their donations to a brownie fundraiser in support of a Rotary Shelterbox project providing aid to survivors of the recent Turkey/Syria earthquake.
Rotary International has partnered with ShelterBox since 2012 to provide “a place of refuge to people facing some of the most difficult and uncertain moments in their lives.” ShelterBox has a 93%, four-star rating from Charity Navigator. It provides what families need after disasters. Currently tents are being delivered in Turkey. Thermal blankets and children’s coats are arriving in northern Syria.
The donors include John Stein, Gina Lawson, Peggy Fedoroff, Mike Litman, Patrick O’Donnell, Christy Anderson, Kerry McAdams, Elisabeth Schafer, Judy Sagel, Erika Drain, Thomas Clarke, Gretchen Clarke, Blu Jacoby, Shannon Haugland, Michele Friedman, Katie Mulligan, Fred Fayette, Debi Gillian, Joshua Lawrence, Lanis Beach, and Martina Kurzer. These folks not only donated but worked to ensure that we raised $1,120 – enough for an entire ShelterBox plus a start on another. Apologies to anyone whose name was left out.
Money was not all that these donors brought to the fundraiser. The “team” showed up, took selfies, held signs, shared posts, badgered friends, enlisted neighbors, wrote comments, sent Venmos, made suggestions, texted colleagues, and boosted the fundraiser in a way that works in our small town.
All checks, cash and Venmos are being turned over to Sitka Rotary. All supplies were donated. 100% of donations are going to ShelterBox.
A final thanks to Ed McFadden, coordinator of the Sitka Rotary’s efforts to raise money for Shelterbox projects in Turkey, Syria, the Ukraine, and elsewhere. We are not stopping at one box! Please contact a Rotarian if you would like to make a donation to the project.
One last thought. Your donations aren’t just electronic transfers and dollar bills put in a jar. They are a winter coat warming a small child somewhere far away from here. We are so fortunate our tiny actions here have a great impact for children and families in Turkey and Syria.
Kari Sagel, Sitka Rotarian
