Tag archives: ShelterBox
In Montecito, a disaster is not an abstract idea. Our community remembers the 2018 Debris Flow and the neighbors whose lives were lost. I grew up knowing that an ordinary day can change without warning. This month, I began to understand what it takes to help a family in the days that follow. I’m a […]
MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation, is turning up the fun this fall with MOXI@Night: Play It Forward, its signature annual fundraiser set for September 26. Inspired by the glamour and energy of the Studio 54 era, the event will transform MOXI into a disco-themed celebration of music, creativity, and community impact. Honorary […]
The Alcazar Theatre was filled to capacity for a special Earth Day-inspired screening of Stand by Mother, a family-friendly environmental film created by director Kerrilee Gore in collaboration with ShelterBox USA. The fantasy film, starring Emmett Long and Disney Channel actor Dakota Lotus, delivers a message of environmental stewardship, empathy, and youth empowerment. The event […]
Montecito understands what it means to rebuild. That lived experience makes ShelterBox’s International Women’s Day panel especially resonant here, where recovery is part of the community’s recent history. In a time marked by conflict, climate disasters, and widening inequities, the United Nations’ 2026 theme for International Women’s Day feels immediate: “Rights, Justice, Action. For ALL […]
ShelterBox USA presented its 2025 Community Impact Award to Kim Cantin during an emotional benefit at the Montecito Club, recognizing her resilience and advocacy following the 2018 Montecito mudslide that claimed 23 lives, including those of her husband and son. Cantin, author of Where Yellow Flowers Bloom, accepted the honor with gratitude for ShelterBox’s global […]
The Ysidro Jazz Society in partnership with Monkey 47 Gin transported guests back to the roaring ’20s with Sip & Swing on October 2 – an elegant evening of live jazz, craft cocktails, and vintage flair. Inside the chic Prohibition-style speakeasy, the Al Vafa Jazz Trio filled the room with lively swing tunes while Monkey […]
Firefighter/Paramedic Garet Blake has been honored for his 15 years of service with the Montecito Fire Department. Montecito Fire Department Chief Neels presented Blake with a 15-year pin that attaches to Blake’s badge. Joining in the celebration was Blake’s wife, children, family, and fellow MFD crew. 12th Annual SB & Montecito Unified School Track & […]
Following the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar and Thailand, ShelterBox has sent a response team first to Bangkok to begin its assessment of what to deploy after the powerful earthquake that caused widespread destruction. ShelterBox USA President Kerri Murray says it’s anticipated the humanitarian needs will be high, especially for durable, moveable tents. “ShelterBox is […]
ShelterBox president Kerri Murray went to pot when she met King Charles and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace last week! Kerri also met Camilla at an event at the tony twosome’s private residence Clarence House, formerly the London home of the late Queen Mother. The latest event celebrated the anniversaries of four humanitarian organizations, ShelterBox, […]
In the quiet corridors of global progress, a sobering statistic echoes: 134 years. That’s how long the 2024 Global Gender Gap Report predicts it will take to reach gender parity worldwide. It’s a timeline that stretches beyond our lifetimes, a horizon we can glimpse but never reach unless something fundamental changes in our approach. This […]
Murray W. Ray, a former Chief People Officer at QAD with extensive global business and leadership experience, is joining the ShelterBox USA board of directors. “ShelterBox believes that shelter is a human right – that shelter from the chaos of disaster and conflict is vital,” says Ray, a Santa Barbara resident. “When you suddenly have […]
ShelterBox, with headquarters in Santa Barbara and Truro, Cornwall, has had its royal patronage renewed. After a review conducted by the Royal Household, following Queen Elizabeth’s death two years ago, and coinciding with the first anniversary of the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, it comes at a poignant time as ShelterBox approaches […]
On Thursday, March 7th, ShelterBox USA will convene a powerhouse panel of trailblazing women at the Music Academy in recognition of International Women’s Day. The conversation is intended to recognize women’s achievements, raise awareness on gender equality issues, and inspire action towards a more equitable world. The free community event, taking place from 5-7 pm, […]
More than 200 do-gooders from all over America took part in a spectacular sunset and heartwarming stories at the ShelterBox USA Evening to Experience benefit on Thursday, September 7. Attendees at the UC investments campus, the former QAD campus, heard how ShelterBox is currently providing emergency shelter and vital humanitarian aid in some of the […]
Santa Barbara’s United Nations Association has awarded the local nonprofit ShelterBox USA, which has helped with more than 100 disasters in over 100 countries since 2000, its sixth annual Peace Prize. Current deployments include Ukraine, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Syria. Kerri Murray, president of ShelterBox, which was nominated for a Nobel Peace […]
On Monday, October 24, International United Nations Day, a huge crowd descended on Pascucci on State Street for the awarding of the 6th Annual United Nations Association (UNA) Santa Barbara Peace Prize. Created in 2017 by the United Nations of Santa Barbara, the Prize is awarded to individuals or organizations to recognize their work in […]
International locally-based charity ShelterBox raised around $250,000 from 175 guests at a Tacos and Tequila party at the Summerland estate of John McGovern, who also received this year’s Community Partnership Award from president Kerri Murray. The sunset soirée, an immersive experience of the charity’s lifesaving work, included interactive demonstrations of shelters and equipment, used in […]
Local residents were in for a treat on Saturday afternoon when a group of renowned musicians played a backyard benefit to raise awareness for ShelterBox, a Santa Barbara-based global disaster relief organization, that is providing much needed help to people displaced by the crisis in Ukraine. The audience picnicked on blankets and lawn chairs, relaxing […]
While Ukraine can seem very far away and hard to help from here, these are some stories of local organizations and people that are helping Ukrainians both close by and afar. ShelterBox USA For years ShelterBox USA has been helping communities in crisis around the world, even being nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in […]
ShelterBox’s reason for being is because human displacement is one of the biggest issues plaguing our planet, one that’s increasing as time goes on. Over the last year, the nonprofit reports, the number of people displaced due to conflicts, natural disasters, or the consequences of climate change has grown to 113 million people, a staggering […]
