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All right, everyone, you talked me into it!! Let's go for THREE boxes!!!
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Hi everyone!
This year, with my friends Lara and Jim, I'll be taking part in Ironman Switzerland. I'll swim 2.4 miles, ride 112 miles on my trusty bike, and run a full marathon. I'll be doing it with ShelterBox in mind, and in ShelterBox kit, and I'm hoping you'll support ShelterBox, as well.
ShelterBox is a not-for-profit that delivers humanitarian aid to areas hit by man-made or natural disaster. Each one of our big green boxes contains a 10-person tent, cooking and water purification supplies, a tool kit, and a children's activity pack. Our tents have been known to last for several years; our stoves, pots, and dishes at least that long; and our water purification kit ensures a family of ten clean water for 100 days.* We sent over 13,000 boxes to the 2004 Asian Tsunami victims and over 1200 boxes to Hurricane Katrina victims. Since 2005, we've deployed over 85 teams of volunteers to over 50 countries. You can find us online at www.shelterboxusa.org
I just got back from a nine-day course of training and testing in Helston, England to become a member of the ShelterBox Response Team, the volunteers who accompany the boxes to their destination. We ensure they get through customs okay, and then we put them into the hands of the proper recipients. We teach the new owners of the boxes how to use all the materials, and we leave them with the foundations for a temporary new home. The year-long process to get onto the team was the hardest--and best--thing I've ever done.
As a member of the ShelterBox Response Team, I expect to be deployed to disaster areas about twice a year. It's a big committment, both for me and ShelterBox.
Each box costs $1000, and 85 cents of each dollar donated to ShelterBox goes directly into either the box or getting the box to its recipients. Each time there's a disaster, our box supply gets depleted. In the summer of 2008 alone we deployed over 3000 boxes, to Myanmar and China. As part of my Ironman, I'd like to raise $2000 - enough money for two boxes, or aid for 20 disaster victims.
When you donate to ShelterBox you get a box number, and when that box is sent to a family's aid, you get a note about where it's been deployed. Who knows? Maybe it'll be in my hands.
I know money is tight. Even if you can't give directly, please tell your friends about ShelterBox. We're the best-kept secret in disaster relief, and I don't want it to stay that way.
If you have questions about ShelterBox, please let me know. I'm happy to talk to you more about it.
Most fondly, and with deep gratitude,
Yi Shun
*These figures will change; we're always looking for ways to improve our equipment. Our new water purification system will provide a family of ten with enough drinking and personal washing water for 240 days.
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