In a joint effort, Cupertino Rotary and Taiwan’s Rotary Club of Kaohsiung West donated 3,000 protective masks to local organizations. The lack of personal protective equipment has been a major issue in the fight to combat the spread of COVID-19.
The two groups have been partners before. In 2009, Typhoon Morakot devastated parts of Taiwan. Rotary International coordinated a relief effort, which Cupertino Rotary joined, that in part supported Kaohsiung West Rotary. In 2016, Rotary members from Cupertino and Osaka, Japan traveled to Taiwan to see new projects, including a school computer network and a large water storage tank.
Now, with novel coronavirus continuing its deadly spread across the United States, Kaohsiung West is stepping up to support Cupertino.
The 3,000 facemasks will benefit organizations below:
- Santa Clara County Sheriffs
- Cupertino Sunnyview Retirement Community.
- Cupertino Union School District
- Fremont Union High School District
- Good Samaritan Hospital
“We thank our international project partner, Rotary club Kaohsiung West of Taiwan, who provided and ordered medical face masks from Shang-Hai and donated to our club to disseminate where needed,” said Cupertino Rotary member Annie Ho.
Rotary leaders say it may just be the first shipment, with more to come.
“They plan on sending another shipment to us in the coming weeks, so effort will continue as we identify more locations and individuals that need protection,” Ho added.