The Great One: Helmer goes Hall of Fame for disaster relief
Lora Helmer had her hands full at Squirrel Fest in Longview, Wash., in 2021 where she informed people about ShelterBox and the work they do to house people after natural disasters or during times of war. Helmer was recently inducted into the ShelterBox Hall of Fame after raising more than $100,000.
From ShelterBox USA:
by Jeremy Jacobs,
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. – ShelterBox USA, a global humanitarian disaster and conflict relief organization, today welcomed Dallesport, Wash., resident Lora Helmer to its Hall of Fame after years of service, including raising more than $100,000.
For more than 20 years, ShelterBox has provided shelter and other essential items to the most vulnerable forced from their homes by disaster and conflict. It is currently responding to the war in Ukraine, catastrophic flooding in Pakistan, historic drought in Eastern Africa, and other crises around the world.
“Five years ago, Lora Helmer joined the team as a ShelterBox USA Ambassador, a volunteer who continually raises awareness and mobilizes charitable support for the lifesaving mission of ShelterBox,” said ShelterBox USA President Kerri Murray. “During her tenure, she has served hundreds of hours, volunteering her time to inspire others with ShelterBox’s global humanitarian work. From constructing tents and displays, to delivering inspiring presentations at Rotary Clubs and conferences, Lora has raised more than $100,000 in donations. Her volunteerism has directly enabled ShelterBox to expand its projects in some of the world’s most extreme disaster and conflict zones, including in Ukraine.”
There are more than 300 ShelterBox ambassadors are volunteers across the country who represent the organization and fundraise for it. Raising $100,000 qualifies an ambassador to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Helmer, who sits on the ShelterBox USA Ambassador Council, is the 48th member of its Hall of Fame.
ShelterBox provides humanitarian aid in the form of family-sized tents and essential items to start repairing and rebuilding homes. The organization’s kits and boxes are customized for each response, frequently items such as cooking sets, solar lights, blankets, and water filters.
Helmer is also a member of the Rotary Club of White Salmon-Bingen, in District 5100. ShelterBox is the official project partner of Rotary International for disaster response.
“Lora exemplifies the Rotary core value of, ‘Service Above Self,’ and her passionate leadership as a ShelterBox Ambassador is enabling the recovery and transforming the lives of displaced families every day,” Murray said. “We are so thrilled to recognize Lora Helmer in the Hall of Fame at ShelterBox USA.”
ShelterBox has deployed to disasters like the 2010 Haiti Earthquake, and it launched its largest response to date in the Philippines after Typhoon Rai last December. It currently has multiple emergency programs in Ukraine, working around the clock to help families stay warm this winter.
Read CCCNew’s 2021 story about Helmer here.
About ShelterBox
Since 2000, ShelterBox has provided shelter and life-saving items following more than 300 disasters in over 100 countries. ShelterBox responds urgently to earthquakes, volcanos, floods, hurricanes, cyclones, tsunamis, or conflicts. ShelterBox was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 and 2019 for its work in conflict areas. ShelterBox USA is based in Santa Barbara, California.
