This Saturday, a few locals will be braving the elements to raise money for ShelterBoxes.

ShelterBoxes provide temporary housing for people throughout the world displaced by natural disasters.

The local Rotary club has decided to hold a camp out in the parking lot of the Coast Inn of the West Nov. 7 from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. to highlight the ShelterBox.

“We think this is a great way to let the community know what the shelter does,” said Rotary Club of Terrace president Sarah Zimmerman.

“This is a fun way for us to raise money for an important cause. Spending 10 hours in a shelter box in the cold is a small sacrifice compared to the loss people face when they lose their homes due to a natural disaster.”

A ShelterBox provides temporary housing and equipment like cooking utensils, basic tools, a water filtration system, and a multi-fuel stove for people who have lost their homes in a natural disaster.

The tent can accommodate up to 10 individuals, and boasts two separate wings and a common area.

Zimmerman said that while some people use a shelter box for short period of time, others have used them for up to two years.

“This truly provides housing to people who have nothing,” she said.

The Rotary club wants to buy 10 ShelterBoxes this year, which cost $1,200 each.

“We have $6,000, we’re hoping to raise $6,000 more,” Zimmerman said. To raise some of this money, people can pledge campers money for the initiative.

Zimmerman will be joined by Rotarians Stacey Mann and Bobby Parmar, fire chief Peter Weeber and Terrace Standard reporter Kat Lee. Pledges or donations can be made to any of the campers.

“I’m hoping these people will be able (raise) a substantial amount of money,” Zimmerman said.

People are encouraged to stop by this Saturday and see what a shelter box looks like.

“It’s more of a symbolic campout than anything,” Zimmerman said, but added that camping out in November can be a challenge. “If there’s adverse weather, our campers could be earning every penny raised.”

People are also welcome to stop by the Rotary auction and see what items are up for bid.

The campout coincides with the 49th Annual Rotary auction taking place Nov. 7-8 at the Coast Inn on the West. The Rotary auction is the flagship fundraising event for the rotary club, and the money is used for local and global projects.

For more information, call (250)-631-6007.