Meet Erik Elsea of Cape Coral, Florida.
Erik is a volunteer for ShelterBox USA who is about to paddle the entire length of the Mississippi River to raise awareness and donations for disaster relief. Approximately 40 people attempt to canoe the entire Mississippi River each year, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Elsea plans to complete the distance in 90 days, with a goal to average 25 miles a day.
His incredible journey starts today.
“I’ve always dreamed of canoeing the Mississippi River from the Headwaters in northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana. They say it takes a drop of water 90 days to go that distance, so that’s what I’ve decided to do.”
“As a realtor, I know how important it is for people to have a home and a community,” said Elsea. “By supporting ShelterBox, we can help ensure that many more families around the world will have shelter when disaster strikes.”
ShelterBox provides humanitarian aid in the form of family-sized tents and essential tools to start repairing and rebuilding homes. Additionally, the organization’s kits and boxes contain items that help transform shelter into a home, like cooking sets, solar lights, blankets, water filtration, and activity sets for children.
Elsea first learned about ShelterBox through the Cape Coral Rotary Club, where he is finishing up his year of service as Club President. ShelterBox started as a Rotary Club project and is Rotary International’s official Project Partner in disaster relief.
“My heart breaks for the families who have lost loved ones and the survivors who face such unbelievable devastation. I’m glad I can be part of an organization like ShelterBox that is there to help people on their worst day ever.”
Basing the distance off the famous marker at the Headwaters, Elsea’s goal is to raise $100 per mile of the Mississippi, for a total of $255,200.
Every $100 donation adopts a river mile on the Expedition and supplies a family with a ShelterKit to repair their home after a disaster.
Every ten river miles supplies a ShelterBox including tent, blankets, solar lights, cookware and more to a family in need.
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