Rotarians from all parts of Southeastern Mass, the Cape and the Islands will gathered to receive 90,000 protective face masks that they will then distribute to first responders and essential workers in their communities. The event is part of the Rotary Million Mask Challenge* Tour that will reach all six New England states between Oct. 5 and 7.

 

A truck filled with 800,000 masks will make stops in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine before reaching 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, CT, philanthropist and Rotarian, and the Rossi Family Foundation.

 

“We are navigating unprecedented times through this pandemic,” said Charlene J. Jarest, 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.”