ShelterBox Australia Newsletter (May 2012)

Welcome our monthly Newsletter for Shelterbox Australia.

Regular blog readers will be up to date with most of the news below but by posting the newsletter here, it provides a page that can be linked to Rotary Club websites and can be shared on social media.

                May has seen operations in the Congo and Peru come to end, with hundreds of homeless families provided with Shelter, Warmth and Dignity thanks to ShelterBox and our wonderful supporters. We’ve also seen a quick response to the earthquakes in Northern Italy and another important agreement signed by ShelterBox International. Following on from last months historic Partnership agreement with Rotary international, ShelterBox has now joined the United Nations Humanitarian Response Depot (UNHRD) which warehouses disater relief goods across 5 continents.

This move enhances our abilty to respond quickly on a global basis and secures our position in the international aid community. (read more here: UNHRD).

Ambassadors will shortly receive a printable one page version of the newsletter and summary of the recent Board meeting.

This month’s quote comes Ronald Reagan (surprisingly) “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone”

Thanks for your support

Mike

Mike Greenslade SRT

Communications Officer

ShelterBox Australia

 Deployments

ITALY – Earthquake When a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck the Emilia Romagna region of northern Italy on 20th May a ShelterBox Response Team was on the road within hours, driving the 4000kms from the UK to meet up with representative from our Italian affiliate. 15 tents were distributed to families that had lost their homes. The area around Modena was further afffected by a 5.8 quake that struck on the 29th, killing 15 and collapsing more buildings. ShelterBox stands ready to act should further help be needed.    PERU – Mudslides & Floods ShelterBox relief operations have come to a close in Peru, with a total of 409 boxes distributed in the Lima and Abancay regions. Multiple teams were deployed to the area, working with Rotary, Scout groups and local government agencies. President of Shelterbox USA, Emily Sperling described the joy that greeted the team as families began to move into their new homes: ‘Our team was overwhelmed with emotion when the villagers spontaneously cheered and then approached us one by one to hug us and give thanks. That’s a moment that I’ll cherish for a lifetime.’ You can read more here: PERU   CONGO – Explosion The Minister of Social Affairs, Humanitarian Action and Solidarity in the Republic of Congo, Madame Raoul, has praised ShelterBox for its actions in the country following the industrial accident on 4th March, “In the name of the Congolese government I would personally like to thank you and praise ShelterBox for its work to help our community. I am delighted at the capability of the ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) members to operate swiftly and with dedication in helping the people of Brazzaville.” A total of 615 boxes were distributed to families in need (a total of 954 tents). Read more here:CONGO Fundraising    PAUL HARRIS FELLOWS Longstanding ShelterBox Ambassadors Lorraine & Peter Croft were honoured with a Paul Harris Fellowship, awarded by RI President, Kalyan Banerjee for their fundraising work. The Dubbo-based couple have helped raise over $50,000 for ShelterBox! Congratulations and thank you Lorraine & Peter. Read more here: CROFT    TRIVIA NIGHT The Rotaract Club of Como Jannali are holding a Charity Trivia Night at the  Gunnamatta Pavillion, Cronulla on Saturday 2nd June 2012 raising funds for ShelterBox & Sutherland Rainbow Club. Tickets are selling fast for what promises to be a great night, if you’re in the Cronulla area you can book yours online at www.comojannalirotaract.org    LETTERBOXES TO SHELTERBOXES Lara’s postacrd oddessey continues and has passed it’s first fundraising milestone, funding her first ShelterBox. Lara, pictured here with none other than our very own Lorraine & Peter Croft in Dubbo, is presently in Newcastle and will head North soon. Visit her website and order your postcard here: http://letterboxshelterbox.wordpress.com

Have you held a sucessful fundraising event or are you planning one? Please sendme the details for inclusion in the newsletter and promotion on the Blog at:

mike.greenslade@shelterbox.org.au