Marlyne Johnson, president of the Fife-Milton Rotary, accepts Ryen Glynn's gift of $1000 for the purchase of a ShelterBox, which contains emergency necessities for people suffering in disaster-stricken areas. Glynn's fundraising efforts all started when he (Photos by Darel Roa)
Ryen Glynn is proof that little people can make a big difference.
In the past three months, the 8-year-old Federal Way girl has raised more than $1,300 for a cause that will help people she may never meet in a part of the world she may never visit.
It all started when Glynn and her parents visited the Fife Harvest Festival last fall.
The family stopped by the Fife-Milton Rotary Club’s booth when a demonstration emergency shelter site caught their eye.
Glynn began to ask questions, and found out the local rotary supports funding for ShelterBox, which distributes shelter and basic necessities to people in need worldwide.
The idea stuck with her, and when her birthday came up Nov. 24, Glynn asked family and friends to donate cash in lieu of gifts.
On Jan. 9, Glynn presented the Fife-Milton Rotary Club with a check for $1,000 for the purchase of a ShelterBox, which could be transported across the world at a moment’s notice when a disaster hits.
Since 2000, ShelterBox has distributed more than 160 boxes to more than 80 countries that have experienced disasters such as earthquake, volcano, flood, hurricane, cyclone or tsunami. Each box costs $1,000 and includes a tent for an extended family, stove, blankets and water filtration system, among other tools for survival.
Glynn said she decided to raise money for the shelters because she simply wanted to help.
“I thought it sounded interesting and I wanted to make a difference in the world,” she said. “It doesn’t matter how old you are. You should still try and make a difference.”
The initial money Glynn presented to the Rotary was raised through the generous support of friends and family.
Since then, she has raised a little more making it a running total of $1,325 by reaching out to her church community, as well as launching a “Dimes for Disaster” campaign at her school, Rainier View Elementary.
“This is just such a wonderful thing for a young girl to do,” said Marlyne Johnson, president of the Fife-Milton Rotary. “The rotary motto is ‘Service Above Self’ and what a fantastic demonstration of just that at such a young age. We are extremely proud of Ryen Glynn and her accomplishments. She is amazing.”
Want to help? Ryen Glynn has set up a ShelterBox donation account at Columbia Bank in Fife.
For more information on ShelterBoxes visit www.shelterboxusa.org
