The need exists, the need persists.

Shelterboxes are being sent to the people of Haiti and Chile on a regular basis from the donations of individual citizens including many Rotarians, Rotary Clubs, other service & community groups, schools, church groups, businesses, corporations, and small private foundations.  The following will explain what is a Shelterbox, and the contents of them, depending on the disaster they serve.

Materials are ordered from a range of suppliers selected for general use, long-life, quality and price. Shelterboxes are prepared and packed using all new materials as delivered from manufacturers, at the Shelterbox warehouse based in Helston, Cornwall. The standard Shelterbox weighs 110 lbs. and has approximate dimensions 2'3" x 1'4" x 11". They are sealed and banded for transit and security. Box contents vary depending on the nature of the disaster requiring their use.

The price of a complete Shelter Box is $1,000 (US). This includes the purchase of new Box items, assembly, warehousing and their subsequent delivery to the site location, (covering transportation, handling, insurance) and standard administrative costs.

Smaller donations are also gratefully accepted. ShelterBox USA will combine partial donations and distribute a complete box when funds equal the cost of an entire box. All donations submitted with a mailing address will be sent a tax-deductible receipt, noting the Box number their contribution funded.

For more information on how you can help by making a donation, go to www.shelterboxusa.org

Boxes are sometimes packed with two 10-person tents in them, (to the exclusion of some smaller items, to maximize shelter capacity. Some of the selected Box items that are available for inclusion in the Box are:

 

• One 49 gallon box (The Shelterbox) initially the container for delivery of the materials listed below. Once delivered, can be used as water tank, food store, cot, table, etc.

• One ten-person tent, including two fabric interior privacy partitions, outer fly-sheet and repair kit. These tents are considered 'winter suitable' by international relief standards.

• Vinyl insulated sleeping mats and lightweight thermal blankets. More compact than sleeping bags, these mats and blankets have multiple uses. The blanket can also be fashioned to catch water, as a tarp, etc. while the mat also serves as a ground 'table' for meals, or tent rugs.

• One pack of 180 water purification tablets or a water purification kit; and one 5 gallon flat-pack water container (Each tablet will purify a full container of water providing 1,800 gallons of clean drinking water which should be sufficient for a family of ten for up to three months).

The contents are under continuous review. A small stock of wind-up radios (short-wave and FM) has been obtained to substitute a sleeping bag in every tenth box should such a requirement arise.

For shipping purposes, a large container (40 feet) can accommodate up to 240 Shelterboxes, smaller containers would typically be half the size and quantities. The purpose of Shelter Box USA, Inc. is to provide victims of disaster with shelter, by supporting the efforts of the Shelter Box Trust.

• Plus the following as shown.

 

The contents are under continuous review. A small stock of wind-up radios (short-wave and FM) has been obtained to substitute a sleeping bag in every tenth box should such a requirement arise.

For shipping purposes, a large container (40 feet) can accommodate up to 240 Shelterboxes, smaller containers would typically be half the size and quantities. The purpose of Shelter Box USA, Inc. is to provide victims of disaster with shelter, by supporting the efforts of the Shelter Box Trust. 

ShelterBox USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing shelter, warmth, and comfort to survivors of disaster worldwide. Our organization is supported by individual US citizens and organizations, including Rotary Clubs, other service & community groups, schools, religious groups, businesses, and small private foundations.

For more information on how you can help by making a donation, go to www.shelterboxusa.org