Press Release: Florida Man Solo Canoes the Mississippi River to raise $255,200 for ShelterBox

Sarasota, Fla., July 12, 2018 –To provide emergency shelter and supplies to people who have lost their homes after natural disaster or fled because of civil conflict, Erik Elsea of Cape Coral, Fla. is solo paddling the entire length of the Mississippi River this summer to raise funds for ShelterBox USA.

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.

“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 recently served as Club President. ShelterBox started as a Rotary club project and is Rotary International’s official Project Partner in disaster relief.

“I’m honored to be both a Rotarian and a volunteer ShelterBox Ambassador,” said Elsea. “The collaboration between the two organizations enables many more people to receive the help they need after losing everything.”

Elsea began his trip on July 7 with a canoe launch party hosted by the Park Rapids Rotary Club at Itasca State Park in Minnesota. 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.

Along the way, he is stopping to give presentations about ShelterBox to groups such as Rotary clubs and other interested organizations. Elsea’s trip is sponsored by NovaCraft Canoe, Jack Links Protein Snacks, and Vango outdoor equipment.

Elsea grew up near St. Louis, Mo. and in his youth, canoed in the lake behind his house as well the Boundary Waters of Minnesota, which is when he began his dream of canoeing the entire Mississippi. He remembers sandbagging against the Mississippi during the Great Flood of 1993.

“Flooding remains the greatest natural cause of devastation on our planet,” said Elsea. “I want to commemorate the 25th anniversary of that Great Flood by supporting relief efforts for others around the world who have lost their homes in recent disasters.”

ShelterBox most recently deployed to assess the damage from the volcanic eruption in Guatemala, where Elsea has spent time volunteering for Rotary projects.

“I'm glad I can be part of an organization like ShelterBox that is there to help people on their worst day ever,” said Elsea.

To get involved in Elsea’s Mississippi River Expedition, you can become a sponsor, request a presentation, host a fundraiser for ShelterBox or make a donation. For every $100 donated, you can adopt a mile of his trip and support ShelterBox’s vision for a world where no family goes without shelter when disaster strikes.

Follow his adventure by visiting www.mississippiexpedition.com or via his Facebook page, Instagram or Twitter. To support his fundraiser, donate at this link: www.shelterboxusa.org/expedition.

ShelterBox USA is a 4-Star rated charity by Charity Navigator and has Gold status from GuideStar.

About ShelterBox

Since 2000, ShelterBox has provided shelter, warmth, and dignity following more than 300 disasters in over 100 countries. ShelterBox responds urgently to earthquake, volcano, flood, hurricane, cyclone, tsunami, or conflict by delivering boxes of essential shelter aid and other life-saving supplies. Each iconic green ShelterBox contains a disaster relief tent for an extended family, blankets, a water filtration system, emergency lighting, and other tools for survival. ShelterBox USA is based in Sarasota, Florida and Santa Barbara, California.

ShelterBox is an official Project Partner of Rotary International. Tax-deductible donations to the organization can be made at www.ShelterBoxUSA.org or by calling (941) 907-6036 attention: Mississippi Expedition.