President Stig managed Colorado State trivia on Friday. We knew a few of the answers, but others evaded us. Do you know all the Colorado state symbols and emblems? Here a few to share with colleagues and coworkers. See what they know about Colorado.
- State Flower: Columbine (white and lavender)
- State Rock: Yule marble
- State Bird: Lark Bunting
- State Animal: Big Horn Sheep
- State Songs: Where the Columbine Grows, and Rocky Mountain High
- State Cactus: Claret Cup
- State Tree: Colorado Blue Spruce
Shelter Box & Rotary
ShelterBox Ambassador, David Addor (Rotary Club of Aurora-Fitzsimmons), along with our own Pam Pine, were on hand Friday to share more about the amazing work done by ShelterBox around the world. I didn't know that ShelterBox began in 2000 as a project of the Rotary Club of Cornwall, England, to provide a box of essential supplies for families experiencing climate disasters. In the past 27 years, ShelterBox has grown into its own 501(c)3 organization and is at work in over 15 countries around globe serving over 3 million people.
Rotary International became an official partner with ShelterBox in 2012. Local Rotary clubs are integral to the success of ShelterBox. “Serving those who are not getting help any other way,” is a key to ShelterBox's mission and the local connections of Rotary clubs make all the difference in getting aid out there to ensure that aid is locally led. Often rural communities are overlooked or harder to reach due to their isolation and/or smaller numbers. That's where local clubs and members play an huge role.
ShelterBox partners with local NGOs (Non Governmental Organizations) to procure and distribute aid, and to provide the items, shelters, etc. that are needed. The original “green box” has been retired to make way for targeted items that better meet the needs of disaster survivors and adapt to where they are.
Aid items focus first on shelter, and that ranges from tents, tarps, and repair kits for temporary shelter to transitional and durable shelters that house people for years. Shelter Box also delivers essential household items such as blankets, cooking sets, water filters, solar lights, and mosquito nets.
Rotary's partnership has been instrumental in ShelterBox's reach and effectiveness, as have the partnerships with other organizations. And the power of both Rotary volunteers and Rotary funding is more necessary than ever. ShelterBox receives no governmental assistance and thus relies on the generosity of donors. That allows ShelterBox the independence to address tough issues and bring necessary relief to anyone anywhere, addressing power imbalances through its purposeful humanitarian efforts.
ShelterBox's organizational strategy focuses on three major aspects of aid - Do More. Do it Well. Do it Together. Their theory of change is worth reading about. And their mission - No one without shelter after a disaster - is worth supporting. Do that here with a contribution of any size. Become a Rotary ShelterBox Ambassador
Subscribe to ShelterBox's news links to learn more. The world's population is more vulnerable to natural disasters and less governmental support has increased the need for ShelterBox's response. Thank you.