As of 10am this morning, President-Elect Rona Mann has launched a program to provide grocery and prescription delivery service to people sheltering in place during the coronavirus crisis.  Contact Rona at 401.539.7762 or six07co@att.net with your needs.  Rona conferenced yesterday with Chief Lacey, Pawcatuck First Selectman and Clergy Association representative to work out a network plan.  Four deliveries have been completed in the past couple of days by Westerly Rotarians Alan and Julie and Rotary Club of the Stoningtons.  Rona helped one of our own today (Thursday 3/26).  The Alvinos are self-quarantined since returning from Mexico and were in need of sanitizing supplies.  The Rotary Club of the Stoningtons made another home delivery.  And, as of today, another program has been formed - Adopt a Grandpa.  After receiving a phone call from a 92-year old's granddaughter asking if a hot meal or two can be delivered, Rona set about getting help with this.  Donna Celico will be heading this project but Rona will continue to be the coordinator.

 

Update March 31 from Rona:

"Things are really ramping up as of yesterday.  A big increase in calls and need.  The Senior Center, Jonnycake Center and Human Resources in Stonington are all referring cases, so the phone keeps ringing.

 

Our adopted Grandpa is being well-fed thanks to generous people who are providing hot meals and Donna Celico is coordinating the entire effort.  Donna asks that you not forget him when you're making a meal and hae extra sauce, extra meet, soup, whatever.  Call her first at 401.596.0997, as she is fully aware of what he's getting and when he gets it.  His granddaughter in South Florida keeps in touch and is over the moon about Rotary's efforts and has pledged to come visit one of our meetings when this is over and she's in town again.

 

We had a man in the Dunns Corner area call for information for 'future' service.  Wonderful Julie has handled that...and him!  I have had three different cases in Hopkinton...two asking info for future delivery and one very dire need.  This woman had moved here just weeks ago, did not have food stamps yet, no transportation, little money, and was down to just 6 eggs and a half loaf of bread, which she was determined to make do till she got her SS check on Friday.  I called Kristen, the terrific contact we have at Jonnycake.  Even though the woman is not a client, Kristen came through for us with a week's worth of groceries, meat, produce, detergent, and the ever-valuable toilet paper!  I was able to pick it up yesterday and deliver it to the woman who cried and thanked us profusely.

 

Aren't you glad you're a Rotarian?  Thank you for all your help, your good wishes and for Grandpa's meals."

 

Jen and Alan Brinton are hard at work creating hand sanitizer which should be ready in a week or two and they plan to give the supply away.  Kudos to them for their generosity to this community.

 

Ocean House's Food Truck will be distributing free meals to children in need beginning 20 March  -