Common interest in the outdoors, travel and ShelterBox is the foundation of a life together for two of our Response Team members.
Joshua Mohr and Kara Lapso got marred in May 2019 after meeting through volunteering for us. They sat next to each other and bonded over their interest in camping, rock climbing, and of course, ShelterBox. Shortly after, working together at Firefly Music Festival to help spread the word about ShelterBox sealed the deal. Kara was smitten.
She was thrilled to find a partner who shared her values and understood why she would spend treasured vacation time going to war-torn and disaster-ridden countries. With the help of their dog, Clif, Josh proposed last March while on a hike in Ohio. She said yes. When the two tie the knot, several other ShelterBox Response Team members will be in attendance.
I’m thankful for how we met because we have a lot in common and a mutual love for ShelterBox,” said Kara. “It’s very special.
ShelterBox is an awesome network of people who are […] motivated to better people’s lives” said Josh. “We have met absolutely amazing people from all over the world.”
Though they had known of each other for several years through a Facebook group for Response Team members, they didn’t meet in person until May 2016.
That was during a five-day advanced Response Team training course in Mason, Texas.
“I thought we kinda hit it off and I was following her around,” said Josh.
Kara was slightly annoyed by his behaviour at the time, but he piqued her interest after flight delays resulted in a shared leg of their trip home from training.
We’re thrilled that two of those amazing people met each other through a desire to ensure no family goes without shelter when disaster strikes.
Congratulations, Josh and Kara!
About him
Josh first heard about ShelterBox when he saw an article in Outside magazine mentioning our work and Response Team programme.
He had been looking for an opportunity to help and give back, so he applied. After completing training in 2011, Josh’s first deployment was to Haiti in 2012. He has deployed seven times, most recently to Bangladesh.
When a 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck Nepal in 2015, Josh decided to run the Cincinnati Flying Pig marathon with a ShelterBox strapped to his back in order to raise awareness and funds.
He is a festival and camping manager for an entertainment company that runs a music festival.
“Josh is one of the hardest workers I have ever met. The amount of gruelling work he is happy to go through is mind-blowing. He is also the most generous person I’ve ever met. He is always giving his talents. It’s amazing.” – Kara
About her
Kara first applied after she met a Response Team member in 2012 while she was finishing up her degree in International Development.
She appreciated the high level of training and education ShelterBox provides to volunteers before they deploy. Her first deployment was to the Philippines for Typhoon Haiyan. She has deployed six times, and most recently deployed to the Caribbean after Hurricane Irma and Maria.
“There’s nothing I’d rather do than support people who have lost everything,” said Kara. She has a Masters in social work and manages youth programming at a rock climbing gym.
“Kara is the most caring person I’ve ever met. She taught me what truly being empathetic means. Seeing how she interacts with people of any race, gender, social status – she truly cares about every single person on this earth.” – Josh
