Santa Barbara Event 2017

“An Evening to Experience ShelterBox” raised more than $225,000 for disaster relief!

More than 250 people attended the event, hosted at the home of supporter John McGovern in Summerland, CA. The event committee included singer songwriter Kenny Loggins, Martin + Kerrilee Gore, Joel Weiss, Roger Bower, Bernadette Bagley, Erin Spence, and Max Drucker + Jen Smithwick.

The evening featured interactive demonstrations with ShelterBox tents and equipment. ShelterBox Response Team members who have been deployed around the world were on hand to discuss how the boxes make a difference in the lives of people who have lost everything after disaster.

We are inspired by the outpouring of support from our local community and their desire to provide shelter, dignity, and hope to families affected by crisis and disaster around the world. For many of the guests, it was their first time learning about the organization. We are excited to welcome them to the ShelterBox family.

~ Kerri Murray, President of ShelterBox USA

ShelterBox provides shelter and life-saving supplies to communities overwhelmed by disaster, including people affected by the recent Hurricanes Irma and Harvey. They are actively evaluating needs in the Caribbean after Hurricane Maria and in Mexico following recent earthquakes. ShelterBox is also providing aid to those displaced by disaster or conflict in Syria, Nepal, Iraq, Cameroon, Niger, Columbia, and Somaliland.

The program was emceed by Catherine Remak, local radio personality and President of the Rotary Club of Goleta.

ShelterBox has its roots with Rotary and it has grown into this incredible organization. We are in unprecedented times in terms of disasters. This is such a hands-on, perfect way to help.

~ Catherine Remak

ShelterBox is the official Project Partner of Rotary International in disaster relief. Rotarians are often the first point of contact for the ShelterBox Response Team when they arrive in a country that has been devastated by a disaster. They also help in fundraising and volunteer projects.

Yardi and The Yardi Foundation were recognized at the event with the 2017 Community Partner Award for their longtime support of ShelterBox. Yardi General Counsel Arnold Brier accepted the award on behalf of Yardi and announced a $15,000 donation. “We’re thrilled to support ShelterBox,” he said.

Donations received at the event were matched by a longtime ShelterBox supporter, The Crystal Springs Foundation.

The event was largely underwritten by local companies that came out to support the nonprofit. Guests enjoyed handcrafted tacos donated by Sharky’s Woodfired Mexican Grill, tequila donated by Código 1530, and wine donated by Westerly. The event was sponsored by Pacific Premier Bank, Montecito Bank and Trust, MarBorg Industries and Tri-Co Repographics.