Congratulations Wayne - February 18, 2011

Wayne Robinson Receives Presidential Recognition

As announced at last week's meeting, Wayne Robinson was recently awarded a President's Volunteer Service Award.  Below is information from the press release.  Congratulations to Wayne for his continued service to ShelterBox and the Rotary Club of Alpharetta

The President's Volunteer Service Award is a special recognition presented on behalf of President Barack Obama. The award is part of a national recognition program created in 2003 through the President's Council on Service and Civic Participation for individuals of all ages who contribute a significant amount of time to volunteer activities.

Alpharetta Rotarian Wayne Robinson has been recognized by President Obama and ShelterBox USA with a Presidential Volunteer Service Award for his efforts during 2010 to provide shelter, warmth and dignity for survivors of natural disasters worldwide.

In the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake, many watched on the television wishing they could make a difference. Robinson knew ShelterBox, an international disaster relief charity, would be on the scene delivering it's iconic green box containing a family tent, water purification, a cook set and stove along with other essentials.  Through Robinson's efforts of raising awareness and fundraising for ShelterBox, the organization was able to provide more than 28,000 ShelterBoxes which accounted for one-quarter of all of the tented shelter in Haiti.

Robinson, currently serving as the ShelterBox USA treasurer, is also a ShelterBox Response Team member (SRT) who volunteers his time to deliver ShelterBoxes following disasters worldwide. Twelve minutes after the devastating earthquake hit Haiti, Robinson got the phone call to be a member of the first Response team on the ground. Less than 48 hours later, Robinson entered Port-Au-Prince and began what became ShelterBox's largest deployment to date.

"In 2010, ShelterBox responded to 22 disasters in 17 countries providing more than 45,000 ShelterBoxes," said Emily Sperling, interim executive director for ShelterBox USA.  "Because of the efforts of volunteers like Wayne we were able to provide emergency shelter to those in need around the world."

Since 2000, ShelterBox has provided shelter, warmth and dignity following more than 140 disasters in more than 70 countries. ShelterBox instantly responds to earthquake, volcano, flood, hurricane, cyclone, tsunami or conflict by delivering boxes of aid. The organization provided shelter for 250,000 survivors of the Haitian earthquake and is currently delivering lifesaving aid in Brazil, Colombia, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

Information: http://shelterboxusa.org .