Local Rotary team ranks second in nation in fundraising

The Rotarian team of Donna Gulley and Andrew Kuby of Northbrook and Cynthia Mikal Fox Lake ranked second in the country in fundraising in 2008-2009 to secure shelter and lifesaving equipment for more than 520 disaster survivors.

They have been raising money to support ShelterBox's efforts for the past several years. With their help, ShelterBox has become the largest Rotary Club project in the world and the only aid organization to immediately address the need for dignified shelter following a disaster.

The Rotary District 6440 team used a creative strategy to ask clubs to support ShelterBox. With the assistance of a four-foot stuffed dog named Rover, the team encourages all Rotary clubs within their district to "OBEY," that is, to sponsor One Box Every Year.

In the last 10 years, ShelterBox has provided aid to survivors of over 100 disasters in more than 62 countries. In the last few months, ShelterBox has helped tens of thousands of survivors in seven countries, including the typhoon-struck Philippines, tsunami-battered Samoa, earthquake-torn Indonesia and flood-ravaged Niger.

ShelterBoxes are sturdy plastic boxes containing essential equipment for survival, such as 10-person tents, blankets, cooking equipment, water purification and mosquito nets.