Italy Stays Strong: Part II
Rotaract projects in time of Covid-19: Chronicle from the Italian peninsula – Part II
“Distance means almost nothing when someone means everything.”
– Rotaract District 2060
As toughest lockdown measures have just been lifted in Italy, we are bringing you round two of inspiring projects Italian Rotaractors have carried out in the past few months to sustain both families and the healthcare system. This time, the spotlight belongs to North Italian clubs and districts that showed desire and determination to make an impact, as well as proved that social distancing has only modified the way Rotaract intervenes. May their actions inspire not only Rotaractors, but also the young Rotaractors-to-be.
District 2071 (Tuscany)
Rotaract District 2071, together with Leo Clubs, launched a joint fundraising campaign in support of the Intensive Care Units of three Tuscan university hospitals – Careggi in Florence; and Pisa and Siena hospitals – as 15–20 % of infected develop heavy symptoms and need to be treated in Intensive Care employing mechanical ventilation. In this period, more than ever, the spirit and identity of Rotaract are put to test and Rotaractors have to demonstrate their value.
District 2060 (Friuli, Veneto and Trentino)
Rotary clubs, together with Interact and Rotaract, launched fundraising campaigns to support both hospitals and people; in particular, the fundraising started by Rotaract Mestre Insieme, Rotaract Noaledei Tempesta and Rotaract Venezia Riviera del Brenta closed with more than 20.000 EUR raised. The amount was donated to the common fund of Veneto Region.
Rotaract Club Treviso, together with Interact Club Treviso, donated six tablets – provided with SIM-cards – to the local hospital, designated as “Covid center”, to help hospitalized people better live these difficult moments far from their families. Now, thanks to their donation, the patients have the possibility to see their loved ones and find hope again to carry on their battle.
Rotaract San Donà di Piave-Portogruaro-Jesolo donated some medical devices to the Intensive Care Unit of the Covid medical center in Jesolo.
District 2041 (Milan)
During the coronavirus crisis, Rotaract Milano Fenice and Rotaract Milano Europa joined the association “Milano Aiuta” as volunteers in order to go shopping for elderly citizens, Covid-positives and subjects at risk who lived in the neighborhood, in compliance with the Government’s restrictions. Quarantine did not stop their enthusiasm to help others, especially when it is as easy as going to the supermarket.
District 2032 (Piedmont, Liguria and Monaco Principality)
The entire District donated both 1000 masks and funds to the Ligurian Civil Protection. Many clubs, such as Rotaract Genova, Rotaract Genova Nord-Nord Ovest, Rotaract Genova Golfo Paradiso, Rotaract Cuneo province Granda and Rotaract Golfo del Tigullio have been involved in the district initiative “A dinner in ward” that permits club members devolve the cost they would have paid for a district dinner to hospitals.
In addition, many other clubs organized fundraisings: Rotaract Imperia – Sanremo – Prince Albert 1er, inspired by the motto “unity is strength”, worked together to support the Local Sanitary Unit of Imperia. Then, also Rotaract Alessandria, raised funds to help the hospital in their city.
On the other hand, RotaractAlassio, Rotaract Asti and Rotaract La Spezia promptly took action donating medical materials and personal protective materials to doctors and healthcare workers.
Furthermore, the associates of Rotaract Imperia took part in the awareness campaign of the CONI – Italian National Olympic Committee – posting a selfie inviting everyone to comply with the rules dictated by the Italian government and travel limitations.In addition, Rotaract La Spezia members, in response to a requirement of the Tribunal for Patients’ Rights, which raised the issue of lack of communication between patients affected by Covid_19 and their families, donated four tablets to the ASL to enable all hospitalized people to communicate with their loved ones.
Despite the emergency, Italian Rotaract clubs continue to honour and promote goodwill, courage and service in their communities which adds to inspiring hope that everything will, indeed be well – or as Italians put it: andrà tutto bene.