The Rotary Club of North Providence recently gave away 2,000 masks to local first responders and community organizations in Johnston and North Providence. The initiative is part of the Rotary Million Mask Challenge Project, in which nearly one million masks have been distributed across New England.
On Oct. 7, a truck carrying 140,000 protective masks pulled up at the State House. Rotarians from all over Rhode Island and southeast Massachusetts gathered to meet the truck, pick up boxes of masks and begin to distribute the masks to first responders and essential workers.
The Rotary Million Mask Challenge Tour reached all six New England states between Oct. 5 and 7. A truck filled with 800,000 masks made stops in Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine before reaching Southeast Massachusetts and Rhode Island. (An additional 200,000 masks were distributed across Connecticut in the spring, making the total one million.) All were donated by Ted Rossi, an East Hampton, Connecticut, philanthropist and Rotarian, and the Rossi Family Foundation.
“The challenge of the Rotary Million Mask Challenge Tour is based on the premise that Rotarians are People of Action,” said Dr. Jack Solomon, governor of Rotary District 7980, which encompasses the southern half of Connecticut.
“With this as our guide, we first challenge each Rotary Club engaging with this project to guarantee that each and every PPE they receive is delivered to community based first responders and essential workers. Secondly, as we transition into the colder months, we challenge Rotarians across the country to join our cause by leveraging their own resources to deliver protection and safety to first responders and essential workers at the vital core of our communities. Last, we challenge our Rotary corporate partners, NGOs and the business community whom we connect with every day to step up to the plate and support this effort.“
The Rotary Club of North Providence donated masks to the following organizations in North Providence and Johnston: the police and fire departments, the school departments, nursing homes, Fatima Hospital, the Tri-County Community Action Agency’s food pantry, a soup kitchen, Saint Mary’s Home, and three local supermarkets.
“We are navigating unprecedented times through this pandemic,” said Charlene J. Jarest, District Governor of Rotary District 7950, which includes 65 clubs in Rhode Island and southeast Massachusetts. “And as colder days arrive with flu season, Rotarians are in action all across the district making sure that organizations and businesses have access to the most important safety measure to stave off the COVID virus. I couldn’t be prouder of the men and women of our clubs who are making a difference by selflessly giving of themselves. This is what Rotarians do.”
Charlene Jarest offered thanks to the benefactor and organizers as well. “Thank you to Ted Rossi, The Rossi Foundation, Jack Solomon PDG, Bob Friend and all of the Rotarians involved in this wonderful gift! All of the recipients of the masks will be in a safer place because of this. Thank you, again!”
If you want to do good in the world while enjoying the company of people you like, Rotary clubs are eager to welcome people like you. The Rotary Club of North Providence invites any interested persons to join us at one of our weekly meetings on Mondays at 5:30 p.m. currently via Zoom. For more information on membership or to obtain the Zoom meeting link, please email us at northprovidencerotary@gmail.com.
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves. Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Our 35,000-plus clubs work together to promote peace, fight disease, provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, save mothers and children, support education, and grow local economies. The Rotary mission is to provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
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