ShelterBox and Scouts bring shelter to Arkansas

ShelterBox Response Team (SRT) members, Rotarians and the Boy Scouts of America, have distributed emergency shelter and ancillary aid for families affected by the tornadoes in Arkansas. 

The ShelterBoxes were distributed on June 9 in Altus and Denning, Arkansas; two of the worst affected areas of the state which were devastated by the massive storm system that swept across the United States. It was the same storm system that lead to the tornado, the worst to hit American soil in 60 years, that destroyed much of Joplin, Missouri. 

ShelterBox Founder and CEO, Tom Henderson, said: ‘I give huge credit to the work of our Response Team volunteers. In a case like this where storms covered such a huge area, our team went to great lengths to make sure no pockets of devastation were missed.’ 

SRT members Mark Dyer (US), Yi Shun Lai (US) and Tim Osburn (US) worked with members of the Altus Sunset Rotary Club to identify families whose homes were destroyed. The club helped to arrange a volunteer work force to assemble tents and distribute aid, including more than 40 Boy Scouts and leaders.

SRT member Tim Osburn, completing his first deployment since graduating as an SRT member earlier this year, said the support from Scouts and Rotary was invaluable. 

‘Seeing the devastation that this storm created was heartbreaking, homes and properties were just leveled,’ he said. ‘Having the Rotarians and Scouts show up to help us with distribution was absolutely fantastic. We had teams working in different locations around Altus and Denning, with these Boy Scouts – we only had to show them how to set up the tents once, then they got right to it.’ 

SRT member Mark Dyer added: ‘This is the second deployment where I’ve worked with Scouts in the field, the first being after the Japanese tsunami earlier this year, both have been great experiences. 

‘In temperatures that were over 90 degrees, they worked quickly to get families into disaster relief tents. The Scouts are always working hard and in the middle of so much devastation you can always count on them to put a smile on your face. 

‘Working with ShelterBox and showing their level of service, they’ve proved a great example of good citizenship in their community, in their nation, and in the world – cornerstones of the scouting program around the world.’ 

ShelterBox has programmes in place working with Scouts in the UK and in the USA. 

To find out more about ShelterBox and Scouts in the UK click here. 

To find out more about ShelterBox and Scouts in the USA click here.