We've all seen the news of the terrible destruction caused by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. You may have already made a contribution to the Red Cross or some other worthy charity. I would like to recommend another one, ShelterBox.

I discovered Shelter Box after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. I went online to contribute to help the people made homeless by the tsunami and one of the options was ShelterBox. I had never heard of this before but the idea sounded especially appropriate for the thousands of people left homeless.

A Shelter Box is a waterproof box about the size of a large cooler. This is packed with a variety of items to help families displaced by storms or other disasters. Each ShelterBox includes a heavy duty tent that can house one or two complete families, with cots, a stove, cooking utensils, water purification, and any other items needed for the specific situation or environment. After the earthquake in Japan, "Along with ShelterBox kits, more than 10,000 sets of winter gloves, scarves and hats were sent to Japan because of the freezing conditions."

Now whenever there's a disaster where homes are destroyed, I go online to ShelterBox USA to make a contribution. I contributed $100 after the tornadoes in Oklahoma, and today I contributed $100 to help the people displaced by Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines.

Donors can "buy" one Shelter Box for $1000. Each box has a number and you can track your box, where it goes, and when it gets there. I can't afford $1000. I usually give $100, but any amount is appreciated, especially by the people who so desperately need the shelter and aid.

Shelter Box is sponsored by Rotary International and is the largest Rotary Club project in the history of the organization. It is a 4 Star Charity on Charity Navigator, which means whatever you donate goes to where it is supposed to and not into someone's pocket or office décor.