The two Sequim Sunrise Rotary members’ fundraising helped more than 640 people during disasters.

Shelter Boxes are sturdy plastic boxes containing survival equipment for a family: tents, blankets, cooking equipment, water purification tools, mosquito nets and more.

The two have been Rotary members for nearly 60 years combined.

“Shelter Box is far and away the most satisfying role I have ever had as a member of Rotary,” Pickett said.

Schaafsma is one of nine original trainees of the Shelter Box response team, who deliver the boxes and help disaster survivors set them up.

“The objective is to get there A.S.A.P.,” he said.

“We get these there sooner than many relief organizations arrive on scene.”

Schaafsma has escorted boxes three times, most recently to Guaymas, Mexico.

“(The response team) is critical for getting boxes past customs and to their needed location, especially in Third World countries,” Pickett said.

Scotty Robinson of Sequim currently is training in England to join the response team.

Shelter Box has five depots around the world, with each site ready to deliver 200-400 boxes to a disaster.

The more than 2 million Rotary members worldwide provide nearly half the money for Shelter Boxes.

Each Shelter Box costs about $1,000, including transportation for escorts to help set up the shelters.

At Sequim Sunrise Rotary’s auction in March, they raised $12,200 for Shelter Box.

For more information, go online to www.shelterbox.org or www.shelterboxusa.org.