By Nina Raemont
From India to Latvia to Mexico, the Rotary Club of Maple Grove (RCMG) has executed projects worldwide to create change. But when the pandemic hit, the organization decided to focus its resources inward, applying for a global grant that would help healthcare workers around the state. And because of this, Minnesota health workers will be receiving support to purchase medical equipment and consumables thanks to a $60,000 PPE grant from Rotary International.
The Rotary Club of Maple Grove was able to receive their biggest grant to date by collaborating with the India Association of Minnesota (IAM). The partnership hopes to “make a transformative impact” within the Maple Grove community and beyond and tackle the pandemic head on. Dr. Raj Khankari, president of the Rotary Club of Maple Grove, explained how rare of an opportunity it is to receive such a large sum of money since many grants are distributed to countries outside of the United States, describing this as a “unique situation.”
Rotary Club of Maple Grove President Dr. Raj Khinkari
The grant aims to supply surgical gowns, surgical caps, hand sanitizer, surgical masks, thermometers, pulse oximeters, goggles, gloves and cloth masks to essential healthcare workers in Minnesota. Volunteers of the RCMG and IAM are currently making calls to different healthcare facilities and nursing centers around the state and collecting requests for PPEs. Once a request has been made, volunteers distribute to those in need of this equipment.
Rotarian Jeff Fluke
RCMG has many projects planned for the rest of the year, and Dr. Khankari aims to work hand in hand with IAM to continue creating positive change within the Maple Grove community.
In the coming months, RCMG plans to continue their good work withLight Up the Ice Loop at Central Park, a holiday-themed light display, and Reach Out and Read, an initiative to improve children’s cognitive abilities by providing children’s books in different languages to local health clinics and Osseo-area schools. The RCMG also has applied for some worldwide grants in countries like India, Latvia and Mexico.
Dr. Khankari encourages Maple Grove residents to attend Rotary Club meetings, held every Tuesday and currently conducted online, at 6:45 to 8 a.m. where members can learn the various ways they can make an impact on their community and beyond.
Rotary Club of Maple Grove
Facebook: Rotary Club of Maple Grove
