Gimme Shelter… in a suit
SHELTERSUIT
You want to help but feel powerless?
“Non nobis solum nati sumus. (Not for ourselves alone are we born.)”
― Marcus Tullius Cicero
Bas Timmer @Sheltersuit
When Bas Timmer’s friend’s father, who had fallen on hard times, died tragically of hypothermia alone in the street Bas vowed he would do something. It was 8 degrees outside and the man was sleeping next to a homeless shelter that was’t open that night.
Timmer, who was designing high fashion at the time, was stopped in his tracks by the news. He had to do something, but what? He decided to create a product that could help protect homeless people from the harsh weather conditions that can make life on the streets so dangerous. And so Sheltersuit was born.
Image by Tony Docekal for Sheltersuit Foundation
With the help of volunteers and donations, Timmer began producing more Sheltersuits and distributing them to homeless people in the Netherlands for no charge.
Image by Tony Docekal for Sheltersuit Foundation
Sheltersuit provides waterproof and windproof coats to those in need and can also be converted into sleeping bags, providing additional warmth and shelter to those who are displaced.
Sheltersuit now supports individuals around the world.
earthquake
HOW TO HELP
In the aftermath of the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, the UN has estimated 1.5 million people were left without homes or adequate clothing to protect them from the cold.
Sheltersuit were on the ground as soon as humanly possible. On their Facebook page they wrote:
"There are now millions of people without a home. The warmest it can get is -4 degrees Celsius and people are forced to sleep outside in the snow. - explains our colleague Paul Zurink, who has just arrived back from Turkey.
In the past week, we have endlessly pushed ourselves to make as many Sheltersuits and Shelterbags as possible.
This is one of the direst moments when we need your support.
At this point, we must continue helping.”
In addition to providing physical support, the organization believes that by sharing the stories of those affected by the earthquake, it can help to build a sense of solidarity and empathy among people around the world.
We may not be able to reach out personally to survivors of the horrific earthquake that killed so many, but we can support Sheltersuit who are on the ground actively helping survivors.
There are many ways to help. If you like Chloe, take a look at their collaboration with Sheltersuit. You might want to purchase a super cool bag and by so doing pay it forward for two Sheltersuits.
WATCH THE VIDEO of Chloe X Sheltersuit
For more on this incredible company, read about Sheltersuit in the Lab Mag STORY edition.