by volunteer Susan Liehe
Awareness event coming to 16 th St. Mall on Sept. 10
Every week, it seems that the news from around the globe brings floods, hurricanes, wars and earthquakes that leave multitudes of people displaced and homeless. The suffering is often profound. How often have you felt touched by stories of hardship but didn't know exactly how to help in a lasting, tangible way?

Of course, traditional relief organizations react to the headlines with food and medicine as well as emergency shelter, although vulnerable people often have essential needs that persist long after the relief agencies have gone.

And this is where the unique nonprofit, non-denominational ShelterBox program fills such an amazing need.

The concept is simple. A ShelterBox contains a rugged, high-quality tent suitable for a range of climatic conditions. Each box shelters up to 10 people for a minimum of six months. Additional items in each box-depending on the location and nature of the disaster--include sleeping bags, ground sheets, thermal blankets, tools, a cooker or stove, water containers, mosquito nets, and even school supplies.

These items are invaluable while the local infrastructure is being restored and people are better equipped to cope. Even the durable plastic box itself is useful as a food container or cot. All equipment is new and carefully selected, then delivered by a volunteer corps. The value of a single box for a family of 10 is almost incalculable-and yet a ShelterBox costs just $1,000 to prepare and deliver.

ShelterBox is a global, grassroots project first conceived and developed by a Rotary Club in the UK in 2000. Today there are ShelterBox Rotary Club affiliates throughout the U.S., Canada, Australia and Southeast Asia. In just eight years, this visionary program has provided aid to more than 500,000 people in 40 countries. The LoDo Rotary Club of Denver is your local affiliate to this remarkable program.

LoDo Rotary Club member Traci Oliver, who recently completed emergency relief training from ShelterBox and is on call to be deployed, will be on hand with other Rotary members on Wednesday, September 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the 16 th Street Mall at RTD's Market Street Station in downtown Denver to answer questions and demonstrate the essentials.

Come see a ShelterBox, help the LoDo Rotary with just a $10 gift toward a sponsored box, and know that when the next disaster strikes, you can truly be part of a lasting solution of an adequate place to sleep and live-and begin to rebuild hope.