’10-’11: Shelter Box
What exactly is ShelterBox? ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that delivers emergency shelter, warmth, and dignity to people affected by disaster worldwide. Each ShelterBox is a green box that provides a wide selection of life-saving materials such as: waterproof ground mats, a stove, a stove fuel, cooking equipment, warm hats and gloves, a children’s activity pack, mosquito nets, a tool kit, a ShelterBox tent, a sleeping bag, and many other equipment. ShelterBox is extremely versatile for which it is tough and lightweight, can provide to an extended family of up to 10 people, and the box itself has its own uses (can be used as a storage box, a food container, or even a crib for a baby). Also, ShelterBoxes are sent to wherever natural disasters strike immediately by ShelterBox Response Teams all over the globe and are being tracked by the number of ShelterBoxes distributed to each country. The content of each ShelterBox vary by the location of the natural disaster and what type of natural disaster it is.
ShelterBox instantly responds to natural disasters like earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, hurricanes, cyclones, tsunamis or other conflicts. They have helped over 100 disasters in more than 70 countries such as Brazil, Myanmar, Nepal, China, Pakistan, and recently Haiti, Chile, and the Philippines.
In the world, about 250 million people are affected by natural disasters each year and the yearly average for deaths in natural disasters is 78,000 people. 42 million people have been displaced from their homes around the world, holding the status as homeless. Interact District 5170 wants to make a difference by pledging to help raise a monetary goal of $50,000 to provide 50 ShelterBoxes for those in need. It is a matter of the entire district to work together to give hope for those who are suffering through these unfortunate occurrences. After all, we are thinking inside the box…for the world in need.
Because of the strong relationship Rotary has with ShelterBox, this is a great opportunity for Interact District 5170 to not only promote our international project, but to promote our Community Service Project: Hunger Relief and its goal of 100,000 service hours. The possibilities to this year are endless. Interact District 5170, lets show the world what we’re made of and why we are the best Interact District around the world. Let’s “tell our story” by reaching our goal of $50,000 for ShelterBox and “lead by example” by “inspiring the uninspired”. Let’s spread our motto “Service Above Self” like a contagious disease, and last, but not least, lets make this year (2010-2011) our year. IT’S TIME TO SHINE!
’09-’10: End Polio Now
This year for our International project, District Council decided that they wanted our district to directly impact the world; they wanted Interact 5170 to rewrite history. What better way to that than end a life threatening disease once and for all?! This year, Interact District 5170, is very pleased and honored to introduce our 2009-2010 international project: End Polio Now!
What is Polio? Polio is a crippling and potentially fatal infectious disease that can cause paralysis and sometimes death. Paralysis occurs usually within one hour of the contracting the disease and is almost always irreversible. In more severe cases, it attacks the motor neurons of the brain stem, causing breathing difficulty and most likely death, as well. It is spread through contact of poor hygiene. It is estimated that more than 10 million children will be paralyzed in the next 40 years if not completely eradicated.
In 1985, there were more than 350,000 cases of Polio in over 125 countries. Then Rotary stepped in, and now it’s our turn. Polio remains in ONLY 4 countries: Nigeria, Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan. It will be the second eradicated disease in the world behind small pox.
How are we going to do this?! As of today, there is no cure for Polio. The best way to prevent it is to give children especially under the age of five a vaccine that will help fight off the disease. Each vaccine costs only $00.60. Setting a district goal of $100,000 we have the potential to save over 60,000 lives this year; definitely one for the record books.
Working side by side with Rotary International, this is a cause that is well within reach. Joining forces in their final chapter of this project, it’s our turn to show the world what Interact district 5170 is all about.
Together, we WILL define Interact this year. We WILL define “Service Above Self.” We WILL save lives. And most importantly, we WILL END POLIO! With all your help, we can accomplish our goal of $100,000 to provide polio vaccines to those who deserve a chance at life. At the end of this year, the world will be saying “Bye Polio, Thanks INTERACT”.
Interactors, we are the future and the future is ours.
LET’S DO IT!
’08-’09: HyDraid
Update: From day one, we set our minds at raising $50,000, skeptical about our ambitions and hoping to alleviate their fears of contracting deadly waterborne diseases. Last year, D5170 contributed over $80,000 to fund BioSand water filters in Dominican Republic. Today, we see these filters, engraved with “Interact District 5170″ on them, ready to be shipped and distributed. The container of filters is scheduled to arrive in the DR on May 24 and
Good Samaritan hospital is set to recieve the filters. You may think that this is simply a name imprinted on a filter, but let me tell you, this is a representation of us and our endeavors as Interactors in making a difference in the world. As we look back, we will be reminded of long hours of service, fundraisers, and fun that had gone into this project. But along with that, we will remember that we came together to do something meaningful, to brighten up an someone’s life, and to do what we do best, “Service Above Self.”
Thank you for putting your heart into this outstanding project.
There are 365 days in a year. That’s 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes, or 31,536,000 seconds. These numbers may seem meaningless, but consider this fact: One child dies every 15 seconds from unsafe water. That’s 2,102,400 children per year.
This year’s District 5170 International Project is more than just a project. We are focusing our international efforts into a single organization, yes, but so much more as well. We have decided to begin what we hope will be a worldwide effort to provide clean drinking water to all who need it.
The receiver of this year’s efforts will be the Dominican Republic. With your help we will meet our goal of $50,000 raised and provide as many families as possible with BioSand filters. These filters allow otherwise dangerous water to be purified and drank without worry.
Please be the amazing Interactor that you are and help promote these projects! District Council has set our monetary goal at $50,000, because we believe that the wonderful Interactors of District 5170 can and WILL make this happen. The warm fuzzies you get from helping the world will make this year your most memorable yet, and the world could really use your help. Remember that District Council will be here for guidance and support whenever needed, so in the words of Rosie the Riveter, “We Can Do It!”
’07-’08: International Action for Children
’06-’07: Action Against Hunger
District 5170 partnered with Action Against Hunger, known internationally as ACF. As the name suggests, Action Against Hunger is an organization dedicated to the fight to end hunger in the world. Action Against Hunger has programs in over 40 countries, and is working towards helping developing country citizens obtain self-sufficiency for long-term stability.
’05-’06: Pumpaid
District 5170 raised over $50,000 for Hurricane Katrina Relief and PumpAid, which provided access to clean water sources for poor rural areas.
’04-05′: PolioPlus
District 5170 contributed over $35,000 to PolioPlus, an international organization aimed to eradicate the Polio disease.
’03-’04: Wheelchair Foundation
