On May 24th, Rotarian Roland Weimer visited the Club and updated us on Rotary’s Shelter Box Initiative. ShelterBox was founded in 2000 in the town of Helston, Cornwall, UK. That same year the Rotary club of Helston-Lizard adopted it as its millennium project.
The first consignment of 143 boxes was sent to victims of the 2001 Gujarat earthquake. Over the next three years the project matured and by the end of 2004 nearly 2,600 boxes had been dispatched, following 16 major disasters. The company significantly expanded its work in response to the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
In 2002, ShelterBox's American affiliate was adopted as a project of the Rotary Club of Lakewood Ranch in Sarasota, Fla. In 2004, ShelterBox USA was officially established as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
In the first five years of the program Shelterbox gave away about 2,500 boxes. With the tsunami in 2005, that number swelled to over 20,000. Today the program has served over 1 million families throughout the world.
ShelterBox has tracking systems to monitor weather systems around the globe and anticipate the likely scale of hurricanes and cyclones. In addition, an earthquake alert system gives immediate notice of any seismic activity that could result in a humanitarian disaster. ShelterBox works with international aid agencies and Rotary clubs worldwide who also relay information when they become aware of an urgent need for shelter.
MPHS FLAG PROJECT
A big thank you to those members of our community that stepped up and supported the MPHS Interact club with fundraising for their flag project. We, the Rotary Club of Wyckoff/Midland Park, were thrilled to participate in this endeavor.
The flags have been purchased, received, and they are now on display in front of MPHS. Please take the time to visit the school to see all 3,000 flags. It is a very impressive sight. As a reminder, the Interact club wanted to purchase the flags to show respect for our great country on special days, such as Flag Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, 9/11, etc.
As we begin to celebrate Memorial Day weekend let us not forget what this weekend is all about. We honor all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so that we can continue to enjoy the freedoms that we hold so dear.
Lastly, congratulations to the members of MPHS Interact Club and their wonderful advisor, Nancy DeRitter, for undertaking such a meaningful project.
Wyckoff Day
The rain stayed away, the sun shone and the great work that our local Rotary Club does was highlighted by some of our club members at Wyckoff Day.
Congratulations to Rotarian Benita Herman who stepped outside her comfort zone and sold a number of Super 50/50 Tickets!
React Car Wash a Success
Thanks to everyone who turned out to get their car washed by the React Club. The weather was perfect and the kids had a great time. Rotarian Paul Vicente's daughter, Amanda, did a great job!
Congratulations Emily & Jessica
Emily Padovano and Jessica Wallace with Russ Kamp at the MPHS Senior Awards Dinner. The girls were two of Nine MPHS seniors to be awarded scholarships. Importantly, they also received the MPHS Interact Scholarship for their outstanding effort leading the club.
RSVP for the INSTALLATION PARTY!
JUNE IS BUSTING OUT ALL OVER!
Mark your calendars for these Key Dates in JUNE:
Thursday June 7: Scholarship Breakfast
Saturday, June 9:
MPHS Car Show
Thursday June 14: Triathlon Coordinating Meeting
Saturday June 16: Triathlon
Saturday June 16: Installation Party in the evening
