Warwick Rotarians join relief efforts for typhoon victims

WARWICK — Warwick Rotarians have joined the worldwide effort to provide disaster relief to the survivors of Super Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

The 55-member Warwick Valley Rotary Club is purchasing a $1,000 Shelter Box for the disaster victims.

Spearheaded by Rotary International, which has a network of 33,000 service clubs in more than 200 countries, several thousand shelter boxes are in place or en route to the Philippines.

Shelter Boxes include a weatherproof 10-person tent and other survival essentials including thermal blankets and insulated ground sheets, mosquito nets, a multi-fuel stove and cooking utensils, water containers and water purification kits, a basic tool kit and a children's activity kit.

In 2010, the Warwick Valley High School Interact Club and local residents joined the Warwick Rotarians in sending a dozen Shelter Boxes to aid earthquake-torn Haiti.

Money for the donation came from local club fund-raising projects so "many in our community are sharing in our relief effort," said club president Neil Sinclair.