Every day of the year, somewhere in the world a Shelter Box is hard at work. The Rotary Club of Kiama has again been made a Shelter Box Champion, which means for three consecutive years we have financially supported the worldwide distribution of shelter boxes in response to natural and conflict driven disasters; and have been recognised for our contribution.

Shelter boxes contain emergency shelter, in the form of a tent and tools necessary to feed and give comfort to those who are experiencing the effects of a disaster. Within hours of a disaster declaration a team of volunteers retrieve hundreds of shelter boxes from the nearest storage centres (located around the world) and despatch them by the most appropriate form of transport to the disaster site. Shelter box volunteers then work alongside local inhabitants to firstly distribute the boxes to safe sites; then assist in the assembly of what can often become an instant village or town.

We put families first. The commitment of our supporters enables us to provide emergency shelter and tools for families robbed of their homes by conflict and natural disaster. People now have temporary shelter from which to move forward and plan their future.

So the next time you buy a raffle ticket or munch on a sausage sandwich, the money raised from that activity is often redirected by Rotary into projects like Shelter Box. Use https://www.shelterboxaustralia.org.au/ to discover how your local donation transforms the lives of people caught up a disaster.

KIAMA LIONS CLUB

Last Sunday a small team of Kiama Lions helped Shellharbour Lions with a BBQ to raise money for the Bandaged Bear project at Westmead Children's Hospital. This project aims to develop life-changing and life-saving advancements, especially in the field of less invasive procedures for sick children. Over $1200 was raised.

We received grateful thanks from the Red Cross folks locally for our door-knocking campaign last month with Red Cross calling. We were able to donate over $2000 to help them with their vital work in the local community.

At our last dinner meeting at the Leagues Club we were addressed by Graham, our resident Salvation Army Co-ordinator, about the Red Shield appeal which we will be assisting with around the town. We also found out about Neuro Fibromatosis, of which most of us were very ignorant. In order to fund vital research into this condition, the fund-raising event "Cupid's Undie Run" will now become a regular feature and we will assist where possible in this worthy cause.

Our next get-together will be a Happy Hour at the Surf Club on Friday 26th, not the Thursday because of Anzac Day.