Gail Borden Library showcases Shelter Box survival kit

Library goers check out a Shelter Box, which includes a 10-person tent, in the middle of the Gail Borden Public Library rotunda Thursday. The Elgin Noon Rotary Club is raising money to send Shelter Boxes to the Philippines. The Shelter Box also contains bedding, utensils, cooking equipment, water purification assistance, tools and books. Rick West | Staff Photographer

A tent set up in the rotunda of the Gail Borden Public Library in Elgin displays how a single box of supplies can make a huge difference after a catastrophe.

The Elgin Noon Rotary Club is raising money to send survival kits called Shelter Boxes to the Philippines after the recent devastation from a typhoon. The Shelter Box contains a 10-person tent, bedding, utensils, cooking equipment, water purification assistance, tools, books and a radio.

"One of the fundamental goals of Rotary is international assistance, and our members wanted to put our efforts for the impacted people of the Philippines into a project that will provide assistance as soon as it arrives," Rotary President Dave Considine said in a news release. Considine is also the library's division chief-director of facilities and building operation.

"Erecting the Shelter tent in the library rotunda will show thousands of community members what their donations will do for people in need, " added fellow Rotarian Carole Medal, who is the library's executive director.

The Rotary Club of Elgin website will allow people to make a contribution toward the Shelter Boxes.