Hinsdale Rotary this week answered calls for help in the fight against the impact of COVID-19 with monetary donations to support those in need.
Hinsdale Rotary President Tom Norton said the organization gave $5,500 Monday in response to an urgent request from the Hinsdale Hospital Foundation for the purchase of a new portable patient monitor to serve the increasing patient load at Amita Adventist Hinsdale Hospital.
Then on Tuesday, Hinsdale Rotary cut a $3,000 check to enable People’s Resource Center in Westmont to buy a food cooler to increase its storage capacity as demand increases due to the economic fallout of the virus.
Norton said a successful Rotary Run fundraiser last fall has allowed his 55-member club to provide this support.
“As a result of (the run), we had a fairly substantial budget to work with,” he said.
The run has a list of designated beneficiaries. Money left over after those gifts are made typically is distributed over the first six months of the year through programs like college scholarships for local graduating high school seniors and bikes for children of military service members.
Norton said both donations were able to be furnished within a day of when the requests came in. And he doesn’t expect those to be the only ones.
“Our board has been looking for further assistance that we can give. Our mission is service about self,” he said. “If we can promote health in the local community, I think we’re doing what we’re supposed to do.”
He said he’s been in touch with officials at both the district and international level about arranging matching funds for donation requests.
“I think our biggest concern is how do we do more? This is definitely not over,” Norton said. “I’m sure there are others that need assistance.”
