During its annual Humanitarian Awards dinner in Orlando, Fla., international disaster relief organization ShelterBox USA honored Sequim’s Jim Pickett for his support of the charity’s efforts to provide emergency shelter and life-saving equipment to disaster survivors worldwide.

 

ShelterBox provides humanitarian aid in the form of an iconic green box, which contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, stove, blankets and water filtration system, among other tools to help a family rebuild their lives after disaster.

 

A member of the Sequim Sunrise Rotary Club, Pickett received the coveted Ambassador of the Year Award, presented to an outstanding volunteer who gives his time and talent to further the ShelterBox USA mission while exhibiting exemplary volunteer service, commitment to the organization, fundraising and awareness building and enthusiasm for engaging others in service to ShelterBox.

 

“Nominated and selected by his peers, Jim’s commitment hasn’t gone unnoticed,” said Emily Sperling, ShelterBox USA president. “His support and that of our other volunteers is crucial in helping us raise awareness so that we can help the world’s most vulnerable families after disaster.”

 

Pickett also has been recognized by President Obama and ShelterBox USA with a Presidential Volunteer Service Award for his efforts — specifically for contributing more than 500 hours of volunteer service in the last year.

 

Since 2000, ShelterBox has delivered humanitarian aid in the form of equipment and materials to people affected by natural and other disasters following more than 170 disasters in 80 countries.