Southwick Rotary Club members present facemasks to the Southwick Police and Fire departments Dec. 11, 2020. (HOPE E. TREMBLAY/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Rotary Club delivered 800 masks to the Southwick Police and Fire departments Dec. 11.
The high-efficiency facemasks were welcomed by the departments and will be put to good use.
“This definitely helps,” said Police Officer Ernest Malone, part of the department’s medical team. “A lot of the time, we go to a call and we need to give someone a mask, so this will help us a lot. [The Rotary] has really stepped up to donate and I appreciate it.”
Police Chief Kevin A. Bishop agreed.
“I thank the Rotary Club for their continued support of the Southwick Police Department,” said Bishop. “We will use these for our officers as well as anyone in need in the community if there is a shortage.”
Members of the Southwick Fire Department could not attend the donation presentation because personnel were responding to medical call.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to create uncertainty and as colder days arrive with the flu season, Rotary President Mike Parent said that the Club wanted to do its part and donated high efficiency facemasks to the Southwick Police and Fire Departments, Council on Aging, and the Food Pantry. Essential organizations and frontline workers will also receive masks as long as the supply lasts.
The donation of these high efficiency masks was made possible by Rotary District clubs located in Connecticut and Western Massachusetts. The project was launched by District Governor Ron Webb of Greenwich, Connecticut, and successfully procured 800,000 masks. An additional 200,000 masks were donated by Rotarian Ted Rossi and Rossi Family Foundation of East Hampton, CT. The project was launched as the Rotary Million Mask Challenge. Masks were made available to every Rotary District in New England. Southwick received 1,400 masks and have requested more as they become available.
Last spring, Southwick Rotary Club also made a donation to Our Community Food Pantry in the amount of $700 in support of the Kid’s Bag Program, an essential need to bridge the gap of children being home from School. This was a result of a special fund created by the local district to distribute funds as needed as a result of COVID pandemic and the high demand for food.
Parent said the Club will continue to innovate, care for those affected, and help where possible to eradicate this global virus.
Rotary Southwick are “People of Action” who share a passion for community service and friendship working together as volunteers under the motto of “Service above Self.” Currently, members meet remotely. For information, visit southwickrotary.org, Southwick Rotary’s Facebook page, or contact Parent at 413-626-4700, or [email protected].
