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Rotary Club of Blowing Rock Presents Donation To Help Victims of Cyclone Pam

The presentation of the check by club Treasurer Bill Leahey to club President John Marshall Monday.
The presentation of the check by club Treasurer Bill Leahey to club President John Marshall Monday.

The Rotary Club of Blowing Rock mailed a check for $2,250 Tuesday to provide ShelterBox repair kits for the people of Vanuatu, whose homes were destroyed by winds up to 180 mph when cyclone Pam hit the South Pacific island nation earlier this month. Club members donated the funds during their regular weekly meeting Monday.

The Rotary Club of Blowing Rock gives one to two thousand dollars a year to ShelterBox which had already been donated this fiscal year.  Last week, Rotarian Van C. Joffrion, the ShelterBox Chair for our club, received an appeal from the national office for funds to help in the recovery effort in the Vanuatu Islands.

The ShelterBox logo that will be on each repair kit sent to Vanuatu
The ShelterBox logo that will be on each repair kit sent to Vanuatu

He contacted our club president, John Marshall, who sent out an appeal on Friday, March 20th, and by the time of the Rotary Club meeting on Monday, March 23rd, the membership had generously donated an extra $2250 to the cause.  The Rotary Club of Blowing Rock feels good that these funds will go a long way the recovery effort in Vanuatu and appreciates the generosity of the membership.

The money will fund approximately 45 ShelterBox repair kits that contain tools and supplies to help the people of Vanuatu rebuild their lives.

Although not an official part of Rotary International, ShelterBox is the largest Rotary club project in the world. It provides relief for those affected by natural disasters around the world such as hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes and cyclones.

“I am overwhelmed by our club members response to this appeal. Our initial goal was $1,000 and we ended up with $2,250,” Club President John Marshall said. “This is a great club and I am so proud to be a part of it. Efforts like this is what Rotary is all about: Helping those in need, both here in our own community and around the world.”