Friday 19 October 2012
Innisfil Camps Out for ShelterBox
Innisfil Mayor Barb Baguley and Rotarian Cindy Pollard inside a ShelterBox tent.
Innisfil Mayor and Rotary Club member Barb Baguley and fellow Rotarian Cindy Pollard spent 24 hours in a ShelterBox tent this September, raising money and awareness for ShelterBox Canada. Residents of Innisfil, Ontario had the opportunity to find out more about the organization’s efforts in international disaster relief.
“People were interested,” Mayor Baguley told the Innisfil Scope Newspaper, reflecting on the campout. Innisfil residents stopped by throughout the 24-hour event to learn more about ShelterBox, showing support for the campers and dropping donations into a big jar. The Innisfil efforts also included a number of corporate donations from local businesses.
Ambassadors in Action
Supported by local ShelterBox Ambassador team Susie and Shawn Parker, the Mayor’s campout has raised over $9,000 to date; enough to provide nine families in need with shelter and life-saving equipment after a disaster.
The Parkers have worked tirelessly to raise awareness and funds for ShelterBox Canada this past year, including setting up a tent at Innisfil Town Hall and hosting a cake bake during Big ShelterBox Week in June. Susie and Shawn became involved with ShelterBox after hearing a representative speaking in New Orleans about the 2010 deployment in Haiti, and decided to spread the word about the organization’s work in disaster relief.
"Innisfil is a small community with a big heart.”
Susie and Shawn are thrilled with the response they’ve had from their neighbours. “Innisfil is a small community with a big heart,” Susie says. “They have given very generously.” As the President of the Rotary Club of Innisfil, she credits the active Rotary presence in the community for the success of the Parkers’ awareness and fundraising efforts. “Each time we have a Rotary event, out comes the ShelterBox!”
The Mayor’s campout was the largest fundraiser in support of ShelterBox Canada that Innisfil has held to date. ShelterBox Canada commends the Parkers, Mayor Baguley, Innisfil Rotarians, and the many generous donors for their contribution to disaster relief around the world.
