Yesterday was a great day for our ShelterBox Project.  First, I got word Lexington has their ShelterBox acquisition underway!  Congratulations Lexington on a job well done! 

According to ShelterBox USA, the new acronym is OBEY. "One Box Every Year"   Thanks for the OBEY!   So, Lexington, Kearney (noon) and Grant Clubs have boxes being deployed, plus we've had wonderful public participation here in Grant.  Let me hear from the rest of our clubs in the district what's happening.  I know McCook was just about ready to go.. North Platte, Grand Island.Ogallala.so let me hear from you!

Next, I received a wonderful donation from Mr. & Mrs. Martinez from Grand Island. Thank you!  48% of the money in the US is raised by Rotary Clubs, 52% comes from individual donations like this.  To have a giving spirit is what makes life rich! 

Also, yesterday, I was invited to present to the Chappell Club the ShelterBox Program and the latest updates on Myanmar & China. They decided to participate! Thank you Chappell!  Keep me informed, please. 

I explained that the ShelterBox is a way to reach out and "Create A Culture of Caring" not only in those places of great disaster, but in our own towns.  I encouraged them and you to talk about it to their friends and neighbors, their youth organizations, etc.  It's a golden opportunity to help your community improve its own identity and unity by their good deeds.  It is my conviction that if we want our American values and traditions to continue, it is by raising the level of awareness of our youth, church and civic folks that the Rotary programs (ShelterBox for one) is a way to demonstrate the true heart of our people and thereby helping our communities develop pride in the acts of caring and kindness. [ or my new motto:  CREATING ACULTURE OF CARING] If we want the values of Rotary "Service Before Self" to live on; we must take the time to capture the hearts of our young people by building bridges to their lives and share the opportunity to become a part of something greater than oneself... like providing a home for the homeless..like giving a child a chance to live without polio, cleft pallets, dirty water, etc.  Give our youth a chance to have a heart for those less fortunate, let them learn to become a Rotarian whether they ever join or not.

So, thanks for making my day a really great day and yours, too. So, get going into your community with the ShelterBox Story. let's all OBEY!   

Please keep me informed of any ShelterBox news (don't forget to have it posted in your local newspaper.. we need lots of PR!)  If you, or club or an individual are moved to donate. Please make sure checks payable to: ShelterBox USA.    Mail  checks to C.J. Rezac, P.O. Box 606, Grant, NE60140 -0606  (as I'm keeping a log of all donations in our district - if you send it directly to ShelterBox USA, then notify me, please)

P.S.  IF YOU WANT A SHELTERBOX TO SET UP AT YOUR LOCAL       FAIR THIS SUMMER, PLEASE CONTACT ME WITH A CONTACT NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE, EMAIL & DATES OF USE at FAIR.   I WILL GET THE BOX'S TRAVEL SCHEDULE WORKED OUT.  CURRENTLY, WE HAVE ONE SHELTERBOX IN OUR DISTRICT.  SO, IT WILL BE AVAILABLE ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS!  DON'T FORGET TO HAVE FUN THIS SUMMER WHILE YOUR RAISING MONEY FOR THIS PROJECT.  I SUGGEST YOU CAPTURE LOCAL LEADERS.. DETAIN THEM IN THE TENT UNTIL SOMEONE WITH SOME MONEY TO DONATE RESCUES THEM !  Or, let them make planes (must look like a plane) out of dollar bills and see if they can fly them into the ShelterBox.. If they miss. we keep the money!  Of course the ShelterBox is far enough away it would be a tough challenge to do!

C. J. Rezac