Rotary Club of Biloxi Donates Disaster Relief Travel Trailer

On Tuesday, June 2, in conjunction with the start of the 2009 Hurricane Season, the Rotary Club of Biloxi officially handed over the keys to a custom-designed disaster relief travel trailer to the Harrison County Board of Supervisors. The Mobile Unit for Disaster Relief (MUDR) is the brainchild of Biloxi Rotarian, Dr. Hank Roberts.

Roberts has been recognized for his international Rotary service projects, many involving the deployment of mobile dental units in underprivileged parts of Jamaica. A friend and fellow Rotarian from Colorado contacted Roberts soon after Hurricane Katrina struck and offered his assistance. He wanted to know what he and other concerned Rotarians could do to help Roberts recover personally. That’s when the idea of the MUDR was born. Rather than accept personal disaster assistance, Roberts pitched the idea of a mobile unit for disaster relief that could be used in his hometown and regionally.

With the help of Rotary clubs in Biloxi, Colorado and Mexico, as well as a contribution from the Harrison County Board of Supervisors, Roberts was able to secure a matching grant from Rotary International to have the disaster relief trailer custom built. He then worked with an organization called Project C.U.R.E. to outfit the unit with medical equipment and supplies. His intention is that the unit will be used to provide medical care to victims of disasters in our region.

Rotary Club of Biloxi leaders worked with Harrison County Supervisor, Windy Swetman to devise a plan to put the MUDR into service. What resulted was that the Club would donate the MUDR to the Harrison County Board of Supervisors who would put it to use locally and regionally. The County will also maintain, store and insure the unit. The Rotary Club of Biloxi will continue to play a role in the MUDR’s operation by helping to locate volunteers to staff it.

The Rotary Club of Biloxi, chartered on Aug. 5, 1921, meets every Tuesday at noon at Mary Mahoney’s Old French House Restaurant.

Handing over the keys

From left: Dr. Hank Roberts, Biloxi Rotarian/Project Coordinator; Bruce Marie, President, Rotary Club of Biloxi; Windy Swetman, Harrison County Supervisor District 1.

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