President Sofie Ameloot welcomed everyone to the Centerville Rotary Club and led reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. Brian Hayes provided the prayer.
Today’s quote provided by Don Overly: “Real change, enduring change, happens one step at a time." Ruth Bader Ginsburg
Thanks to Wyatt Thorp and Brian Hayes for greeting today.
Welcome today’s guest, Matt Carter, a guest of Jeff Senney.
Our speaker today was Renee Brouse with ShelterBox USA, who spoke to us on Zoom.
Renee Brouse is with ShelterBox USA, who’s slogan is “No one without shelter after disaster.”
The organization is global in scope providing humanitarian aid to people displaced from their homes due to natural disasters or conflict. It was first established in 2000 as a Cornish Rotary Club’s millennium project. Their initial goal was 8-10 boxes/year. Over 120 million people are displaced today. They have served over 3 million in last 25 years.
One example given was when 25,000 people crossed into Sudan from Chad due to violence, all needing shelter.
They are an official partner with Rotary International. The partnership is critical to success.
They used green boxes initially, but now use a durable bag that provides more flexibility. They assess the situation and determine the best way to respond; most needed items.
They respond with
- 4 types of tents available to use OR
- ShelterBox kit - to repair home and stay in home with tarpaulin & sheet metal
Pre-positioned aid - have stock in various locations around the world. Belgium, Dubai, Malaysia, Philippines and Panama are areas with pre-positioned aid. Occasionally they have a “Stock the Box” activity to restock supplies.
They work with partners to secure items regionally in the area affected by the disaster. Items like tents, blankets, solar lights, mattresses, hygiene kits, etc. can be procured close to the disaster thanks to partners.
They measure the program's impact: MEAL
Monitoring
Evaluation
Accountability
Learning
Being sure aid gets into the hands of those who need it most.
In 2024 after Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, ShelterBox was able to help from partnerships with Rotary Zones 33-34. They helped create a safe place to coordinate distribution efforts.
ShelterBox partnered with Rotary Districts 5280 and 5300 to provide aid after the 2025 LA Wildfires.
Renee told of a ShelterBox ambassador who lost everything in the LA Fires. She continued to advocate and it is her personal mission to help rebuild Altadena
Sometimes they can’t respond when it doesn’t meet their criteria.
Partnerships with Rotary, donors, and businesses are all important.
This year is their 25th anniversary, so they are celebrating with a 25 for 25 Challenge: Run, swim, bike 25 miles, donate $25, etc.
Apr 30, 9-10 PST is a webinar for an all Rotary hands update. They will be celebrating Hero Clubs and providing response updates. A panel from NC & LA will share their experiences/learnings from those disasters.
Today’s Announcements:
- Rotary District Dayton Dragons Game is scheduled for August 9, game time is 7:05 PM. For each $14 ticket, $7 will be donated to the End Polio Now fund. Ticket link: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Rotaryclubs60
- Golf Outing is May 9. We have raised $5,825 so far of our $16,000 goal. Sponsorships to date include:
Ameriprise Financial, Beckel Humidor, Beckel Insurance, Bethany Village, Blue Mark Capital, Bockrath Flooring, Centerville Service Center, Coldwell Banker Heritage/Sheri Hayes, Dealer's Choice Chip & Dent, Edward Jones, Oak Creek OB/GYN, Home Care Assistance of Dayton, King’s Coin Exchange, KTC Quail Tennis Club, Levin Family Foundation, Pickrel, Shaeffer & Ebeling, Simplicity IT, St. Leonard, Westbrook Funeral Home.
- Now that we have a 501 (c)(3) organization, donors can receive a tax benefit for their sponsorship. Please bring in at least one sponsorship so we can meet our goal.
- Dale Berry is being recognized with the Founders Award by the Centerville-Washington Foundation on Wednesday, May 28, 11 am - 1 pm at Yankee Trace. Invitations will be out soon, or you can register HERE. Previous honorees from our club include Bob Daley, Sally Beals, Joyce Young, and Harvey Smith.
- District Gala is on Friday, April 25 at the Museum of the Air Force. Register NOW for District Gala
- Next week is Rotary on the Road: our meeting is at Hannah’s Treasure Chest, 2490 Technical Drive, Miamisburg.
- Brian Hayes reminded all to please remember to sign in each meeting and list guests on sheet.
- Social committee is working on the next social.
- Volunteers are needed for:
- Adopt a Highway cleanup on April 19, 8a-12p or 12:30-4:30p
- Park District landscape bed maintenance on April 26, 9 am-12p at either Yankee Park or Oak Grove Park.
Happy Bucks this quarter will go to Operation Warm for winter coats for children.
Brad Thorp was our Sergeant at Arms.
Happy Bucks were generously given for:
- Jeff S was happy for Matt visiting today
- Carol K was glad to be back, thanked Ron and Boyd for taking minutes, and although she enjoyed the Cherry Blossoms in D.C., she doesn’t ever want to be among so many people at one place again!
- Sofie A welcome Matt, and enjoyed a visit to beautiful Mammoth Cave, which is now flooded
- Gina S finished a manuscript at 2 am this morning
- Dave T gave thanks for all the wonderful things this club is doing and reminded that volunteers are needed for the April 26 park work.
- Ernie H was happy to be in Cabo for 7 days but now is back here…
- Brian H was happy
- Jackie D was happy
- Ron H for Operation Warm
- Adam M was happy
- Chuck K for Operation Warm, and is attending his first Dragon’s game tonight
- Jim H was happy
- Dale B for Operation Warm
- Elda GG was happy
- Brad T was happy to spend a week in Mexico enjoying the beach/pool with family.
President Ameloot reminded that next week’s meeting is at Hannah’s Treasure Chest. Don’t go to Yankee Trace!
Tonight is Rotary Women Connect at Old Scratch Pizza. DG Dottie Meade is joining us.
Bring a guest next week!
President Ameloot thanked led reciting of the 4-Way Test and wished all a good week.
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