[StBernard] Boca Rotary, medical supplier, pitch in to help Katrina victims -- again

[Westley Annis]

Boca Rotary, medical supplier, pitch in to help Katrina victims -- again 
  
Published Thursday, December 28, 2006 
by By Nicol Jenkins


While most people were finishing their holiday shopping late last week, a
group of Rotarians from Boca Raton was "making a list" of its own.

Specifically, members of Boca Raton Rotary Club Sunset were gathering up
medical supplies to send a little "hope" to victims of last year's
devastating Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.

In the end, Stone Medical Group, friends to Rotary and a medical supply
distributor with offices on South Rogers Circle in Boca Raton, offered again
this year to donate nine pallets, or skids, of various hospital medical
supplies worth almost $20,000 to any needy medical facility -- as they have
the last few years.

Last year's donation went to the St. Bernard Regional Medical Center in
Chalmette, La., a community decimated during Katrina.  

Steve Thacker, club secretary and hurricane relief coordinator made a
follow-up call this year to St. Bernard's Head Nurse and Operations Manager,
Barbara Warren - who said they just ran out of last year's donation - so the
timing was perfect.

The bit of generosity drew an immediate response from the Rotary Club of St.
Bernard Parish.

"Thanks to the Rotary Club of Boca Raton Sunset for the generous donation of
medical supplies that is on the way to St. Bernard Parish." said Hugh Cratt,
president of the Rotary Club there.

"As you know," he said, "St. Bernard Parish was totally devastated on Aug.
29, 2005, by the winds and flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina. The
majority of the schools, churches, businesses, homes and other
establishments are not functional even after 15 months have elapsed.  Your
kindness and concern gives us hope and inspiration to face the future with
renewed vision."

All of the donated supplies, such as crutches, bandages, surgical gloves,
gowns, etc., were given to patients without charge.  

Boca Rotarians said the hospital is still operating out of mobile trailers
in the parking lot of a still-closed Wal-Mart Store. "Many are still
homeless in St. Bernard Parish," said Thacker, "and many have yet to return
to their ravaged homes.  

The Boca Rotary also offered special thanks again this year to Arne Nelson,
president and CEO, Catholic Charities of Orlando - who financed the shipping
costs.  Special thanks also went to Brett Jaffy, vice president of
operations and the staff at Stone Medical Group.

Boca Raton Rotarians know all too well about hurricanes," said Thacker. "We
annually prepare for the worst and pray for the best.   We were blessed this
year, and we are happy to share those blessings with you, our new friends in
St. Bernard Parish.

Boca Raton Rotary Sunset Club is a local chapter of Rotary International, a
global service club of civic and business Leaders that strives to make a
difference in their local, national, and worldwide communities.  The club
meets every Monday evening at the Muvico Palace on Airport Road.  

Dale M. King can be reached at 561-549-0832 or at dking at bocanews.com.