SGR Responds to Haiti Disaster

OPENING: Donald Ira Pendleton was at his post as Sergeant-at-Arms meeting and greeting members and visitors to the 3771st meeting of SGR. Ray Robinson led members in a cheerful rendition of "I’m Looking Over A 4-Leafed Clover" on a dreary, rainy Monday afternoon. Jeff Eggertz invited members to follow him in the Pledge of Allegiance and Terance White asked for the blessings of heaven on the meeting and the meal. Richard Isom conducted Horseplay while Kyle Case collected fines on behalf of Community Education’s Kids Space program.

PROSPECTIVE NEW MEMBERS: President Ken Sizemore read the names of four prospective members to SGR, including Jeff Norton, Teri Kane, Andy King and Julie Williamson. Don Shelline and Tiffany Cox are also in the process of completing applications.

PROGRAM: On this Martin Luther King holiday, President Ken felt it appropriate to discuss ways in which members of SGR could assist in the recovery effort in Haiti following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake on Tuesday, January 12. Government officials in the impoverished nation estimate as many as 200,000 are dead and millions more injured. The strongest quake to hit Haiti in more than 200 years, also crumbled government buildings, hospitals, schools and shantytowns. Most of the capital city of Port-au-Prince is in ruins.

In response to the overwhelming magnitude of the Haitian disaster, RI has established the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, a donor advised fund within The Rotary Foundation, for Rotarians who want to donate toward recovery efforts.

President Ken suggested funding 2 shelter boxes - at a cost of $1000 each - from SGR funds. The Shelter Box contains a 10-person tent designed to withstand extreme temperatures, high winds and heavy rainfall. Each tent also has privacy petitions which allow recipients to divide the space as they see fit. Every box also contains survival equipment including thermal blankets and insulated ground sheets, mosquito netting, water purification tablets; a basic tool kit containing a hammer, ax, saw, trenching shovel, hoe head, pliers and wire cutters; and a children’s pack containing drawing books, crayons and pens. Every item is durable, practical and brand new.

The box itself is lightweight and waterproof and has been used for a variety of purposes in the past - from water and food storage containers to a cot for a newborn baby. A key piece in every box is either a wood burning or multi-fuel stove - capable of burning anything from diesel to old paint as well as boiling water and cooking food. In addition, there are pans, utensils, bowls, mugs and water storage containers.

June McAfee suggested a voluntary $100 assessment to members of SGR for the purchase of Shelter Boxes or other supplies desperately needed in Haiti. Members will hear more about how they can help at next week’s meeting when, coincidentally - Dr. Scott Bulloch will speak on his international service project in Haiti.