Rotary Club of Concord’s Oktoberfest Aids Hurricane Victims

Concord Rotarians invite all Rotarians, their families and friends from District 7910 and beyond to help raise funds for ShelterBox by attending Oktoberfest at Verrill Farm in Concord on Saturday Sept. 30 between 11:00 a.m. and 4 p.m. At this Bavarian-themed, family-friendly event you’ll hear live bands, sample food, ciders and craft beers, enter a pie-eating contest, outwit a magician, get 500your face painted, show off hula-hoop skills, jump in the bouncy house, shop craft vendors, visit community organization booths, and much more. Tickets are $20 prior to the event, $25 at the door for age 21 and over, $5 for under-21 and non-drinkers, children under 4 free. Visit concordrotaryoktoberfest.com.

When the Rotary Club of Concord announced its goal to purchase 20 ShelterBox tents using proceeds from Oktoberfest, it knew that ShelterBox quickly provides emergency shelter and lifesaving supplies on the frontline of disasters. Concord Rotarians did not, however, anticipate the immediate need posed by the catastrophic aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.

We have since learned that ShelterBoxUSA has been working with FEMA to put in place shelter options for displaced people and repair options for damaged homes, including the provision of ShelterBox Tents and ShelterKits. The ShelterBox Response Team includes two Texas Rotarians, who are on the frontline assessing immediate and ongoing needs.

No doubt your club will want to help the flood-ravaged victims of Hurricane Harvey. What better way than to support ShelterBox, a Rotary partner. The Rotary Wheel is on every ShelterBox and Tent.

Rotary will have a ShelterBox on display at Oktoberfest. You may step inside and examine its contents. The large green box contains a family-size tent as well as items like solar lights, water storage and purification equipment, cooking utensils, and thermal blankets. Each ShelterBox costs $1,000. Rotary would also like to purchase ShelterKits. ShelterKits contain all of the essential tools people need to start repairing and rebuilding homes. The kits cost $100.

The Rotary Club of Concord is seeking sponsors for Oktoberfest with a range of opportunities listed on its Oktoberfest website, concordrotaryoktoberfest.com. The site also offers information about having a booth at the event. Check out the food trucks, breweries, bands and more. Plan to have fun and help others!