HERMISTON, Ore.-ShelterBox supporters from across North America were in Eastern Oregon recently to take part in the annual Cascadia ShelterBox Advocate Field Experience (S.A.F.E.) training, held September 11-13 near Echo, Oregon.
Organized by the Hermiston Rotary and local volunteers, the Cascadia training is an opportunity to experience firsthand the complexities of providing aid, as well as see how ShelterBox, an international disaster-relief organization, assesses needs and delivers aid.
Now in its sixth year, the Cascadia training has raised over $3 million for ShelterBox, according to the Hermiston Rotary.
“The Hermiston Rotary Club’s partnership with ShelterBox has been one of the most impactful and important relationships we have,” said Hermiston Rotarian Eric Reise, who has helped plan the Cascadia training since it started.
Cascadia Disaster Training
The three-day training placed participants in the fictional country of Cascadia in the aftermath of an earthquake and tsunami.
Sno Road Farms, owned by Lloyd and Lois Piercy, served as the location for Cascadia, with the varied landscape allowing organizers of the training to create several different sites and scenarios.
Participants of the training worked in small teams to navigate challenges modeled after situations often encountered by real disaster response teams.
After crossing the Cascadia border, teams had to meet with government leaders, build a base camp, visit communities of displaced people, and work their way through customs to bring supplies into the country.
Cascadia is the only ShelterBox training event of its kind in the United States and over 100 people were involved in planning and staging the event, including members of the Hermiston Rotary, ShelterBox, the National Guard, and local volunteers.
Volunteers portrayed border guards, government officials, and residents affected by the disaster in the training.
According to the Hermiston Rotary, over 30 ShelterBox donors and supporters from across the country and Canada took part in the Cascadia Disaster Training this year, setting a new participation record.
ShelterBox
Founded by the Rotary Club of Helston-Lizard, England in 2000, ShelterBox has grown, with Rotary support, to become an international non-governmental organization and has been the official project partner of Rotary International since 2012.
“ShelterBox was the brainchild of a single Rotarian in England more than 25 years ago, and not it’s serving millions of displaced people around the world,” said Reise.
ShelterBox provides emergency shelter after disaster, while also supporting people as they rebuild, repair, and return home.
Working with communities and partner organizations to respond in disaster-affected areas, ShelterBox works to supply shelter solutions, including tents, tarps, blankets, water filters, tool kits, and more.
By pre-positioning aid in warehouses around the world, including Europe, the Middle East, South America and Asia, ShelterBox ensures those who need help the most receive aid quickly following a disaster.
Hermiston Rotary
The Hermiston Rotary’s inaugural Watermelon Slam Pickleball Tournament was June 27 in Hermiston and raised money to help make the Cascadia training possible.
Funds from the pickleball tournament covered expenses, including transportation and meals for more than 60 people during the training, according to the Hermiston Rotary.
After the Cascadia training, Rotary District 5100 Governor Renée Fontenot presented Reise with the Rotary Groundbreaker Award during the Hermiston Rotary Club meeting on September 17.
Reise received the award for his leadership and work inspiring Rotary Club members to make a lasting impact on their community.
