HOULTON, Maine — As the Houlton Rotary Club continues to follow “social distancing” protocol, its second virtual meeting was held Monday, April 6.
A total of 33 Rotarians participated, including newest Rotarian, Josh McLaughlin. He is the first in the local club’s 100 year history to be inducted during an online meeting. Delivering the oath was Past District Governor Leigh Cummings.
The guest speaker, Shelley Sherman, was introduced by Rotarian Steven Fitzpatrick. Sherman updated Rotarians on the local mask making efforts and the Island Falls Area Face Mask project. She indicated that, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, her mother, Barbara Binotto, wanted to help address the shortage of face masks, especially for those in the healthcare professions.
They began planning, organizing and researching on March 19. Within a 15-day span, they created and launched a Facebook page, and have sewn and delivered over 1,000 face masks to as far north as Caribou, and as far south as Bangor.
Josh McLaughlin was inducted into the Houlton Rotary Club Monday, April 6.
(Courtesy of Andy Mooers)
In addition to both Binotto and Sherman, there are also 50 stitchers and 15 volunteer drivers. Several more have made monetary donations, as well as donations in materials and fabric.
The priority of the project is first to hospitals and first responders; then to nursing home facilities, office practices, home health and other health care organization, and finally, to essential businesses.
Individual requests can be made via the Facebook page and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Individuals are also provided with links to no-sew face mask instructions and names of area businesses selling masks. To learn more about the project, go to https://wwww.facebook.com/groups/666618527421530.
