ShelterBox USA, on the ground in Altadena since the first days of the devastating January wildfire, distributed 1,000 air purifiers to Eaton Fire victims on March 15.

Going from distributing essential supplies and solar lights able to charge cellphones to cookware and hand warmers, the Santa Barbara-based nonprofit has been a mainstay at the wildfire relief hub that is the Grocery Outlet parking lot on North Lake Avenue in Altadena.

It partnered with Intellipure to provide air filters to 1,000 families impacted by the Eaton Fire.

“Intellipure is committed to supporting communities in need, especially those affected by natural disasters,” said Dan Phalen, chief executive officer of HealthWay, which produces the air filter. “We hope this donation of air purifiers will provide much-needed relief to Altadena residents and help improve their indoor air quality.”

Kerri Murray, ShelterBox USA president, helped unload and distribute the air filters, talking to survivors two months after the wildfires. She said residents face challenges in rebuilding their lives and homes, including navigating insurance complexities and securing resources.

“ShelterBox USA has remained committed to providing displaced families with vital supplies through a series of organized community distributions,” she said. “ShelterBox USA staff and volunteers including from Santa Barbara and L.A. County provided hundreds of families air purifiers from Intellipure, and new comforters to provide relief to people who face a long road to recovery. We’re grateful for supporters who make this important work possible.”

Major Gen. Jason E. Kelly of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dropped in and helped in the giveaway, joining Sandra and Jose Valenzuela, owners of the Altadena Grocery Outlet, as well as members from Rotary District 5300, which includes the Altadena Rotary Club. Kelly also thanked the Valenzuelas for their generosity to the community.

René Amy, who lost his Altadena home, is an ambassador for ShelterBox and a member of the Altadena Rotary Club.

“Today was another great showing of Rotarians and community members and partners from around town, from around the region, and from around the nation coming together to help as many fire victims as possible,” he said. “I know that there are a lot of us who lost so very much, and we’ve got a long, hard road ahead of us. I’m resolute in my belief that we will pull through this if we stick together and we help each other.”

Since its founding in 2000, ShelterBox has helped nearly 3 million people in 100 countries by providing emergency shelter following earthquakes, volcanoes, floods, hurricanes, cyclones, tsunamis, and during conflicts. ShelterBox delivers durable tents, repair kits, cookware, water filters and carriers, solar lights, and other essential survival tools.

ShelterBox has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times and is an official project partner of Rotary International.

Rotary members from Altadena were joined by member of clubs based in San Jose, Las Vegas, Glendora, and other cities, along with volunteers from other organizations, in providing this “day of service” to the Altadena community.