More than $50,000 has been raised in northern B.C. from a unique Rotary campaign to help Haiti earthquake victims.
Rotarians from central B.C. are fundraising to send as many ShelterBoxes as possible to Haiti, which was rocked by a 7.0 earthquake Jan. 12.
In Prince George, more than $3,000 has been raised during the Have a Heart campaign on display at Pine Centre Mall.
The funds contributed by individuals will be matched by the Canadian government until February 12.
One ShelterBox costs $1,000. It provides relief and temporary housing and contains a 10-person tent, blankets, sleeping bags and groundsheets, a water filtration system, a multifuel stove, pots, tools, rope and other survival items as well as children's school supplies. A ShelterBox is dispatched by ShelterBox International wherever a natural disaster occurs.
After the earthquake hit Haiti, 2,000 ShelterBoxes were immediately deployed from the UK. Another 3,000 are expected to arrive by the end of this week. They're being used by pregnant women, families with newborn babies, and in hospitals helping thousands of people.
Donations of $20 or more will be provided with a receipt and all contributions are matched by the federal government. Those who want more information can check out the ShelterBox display at Pine Centre mall, www.shelterbox.ca or call Gary Gurnsey, ShelterBox Canada ambassador for Prince George North, at 250-617-3310.
