Bill Tobin, a long-time Rotarian, is Rotary Relations Manager for ShelterBox USA.
ShelterBox is Rotary International's Project Partner for disaster relief. Since its founding in 2000, ShelterBox has responded to over 300 disasters in over 100 countries and has provided shelter and life-saving aid to more than 1.5 million people. It was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 and 2019.
As its name would sugggest, ShelterBox provides shelter in the form of sturdy tents, as well as kits including everything from tools to soap and wash basins and solar lights. A $1,000 donation can provide kits for up to 10 families..
ShelterBox provides disaster relief when people are displaced by natural disasters or conflicts--mostly the latter. Bill reviewed various disaster areas, including a number of countries in Africa, as well as Syria, a disaster lasting 8 years where more than 7 million people have been displaced.
Benzie Sunrise Rotary has supported ShelterBox, donating $5,000 in 2010 for relief in Haiti.