ShelterBox Ambassador Completes Cross-Country Journey

Media Contact: Jeremy Jacobs, Communications Director, [email protected]

EVANSTON, Ill. — ShelterBox Ambassador and Rotarian Don Crost completed his 1,300-mile journey from Southern Florida to Rotary International’s Headquarters in Evanston last week, raising awareness and funds for ShelterBox USA along the way.

For more than two weeks, Crost has been making his way from Naples, Florida with our iconic green ShelterBox strapped to the back of his blue 1953 Chevy pickup truck. It’s a road trip that has been painfully slow at times and has required a white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel at others.

Crost stopped to share his project with several Rotary Clubs along his journey. ShelterBox is Rotary International’s official project partner in disaster relief. With a global network of Rotarians on our team, we are able to deliver our aid faster and more efficiently to some of the world’s most remote areas.

“It is amazing how lives can be saved and whole communities can be transformed by the contents in this box,” Crost said. “For so many people, it is a ‘miracle.’”

Crost has been collecting and restoring vintage cars since he was a child, when he worked on English cars with his father. He’s a fourth-generation antique auto collector and enthusiast, so it was a no-brainer to marry his two passions – vintage cars and ShelterBox – when the opportunity presented itself to bring the Chevy to the Chicago area, where Rotary International is based.

The Rotarian has met with nearly 10 Rotary Clubs throughout his journey, and is seeking to raise $20,000 for ShelterBox’s global disaster relief efforts.

“ShelterBox is one of the greatest charities and disaster relief organizations in the world but is not as well-known as the Red Cross or Doctors Without Borders,” he said. “I wanted to raise greater awareness of ShelterBox in some way.”

Don is on his way to his $20,000 goal! Click here to support his “Little Blue Truck, Big Green Box” fundraiser.

About ShelterBox USA

Since 2000, ShelterBox has provided shelter and life-saving items following more than 300 disasters in nearly 100 countries. ShelterBox responds urgently to earthquake, volcano, flood, hurricane, cyclone, tsunami, or conflicts. It works with local partners and individuals to customize each response, which can include a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, a water filtration system, emergency lighting, and other tools for survival. ShelterBox was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018 and 2019. ShelterBox USA is based in Santa Barbara, California.