About
11 years ago we helped start a new service for children in Santa Monica. We teamed
with St. John’s Hospital and the County of Los Angeles in giving free
vaccinations against six deadly diseases. The County donated the vaccines. St.
John’s sent doctors and nurses (volunteers) to jab the needles and write the
records. We sent members to set up signs and furniture and stow everything
afterward, meanwhile shepherding the waiting kids and keeping them happy with
balloons and cookies and other goodies.
The
operation took place on a church playground in the southern part of town,
because some foreign-born families feared taking their children into a hospital.
We spread word via radio stations, church bulletins, and whatever other media
would help. About twenty kids got shots that first time.
Every
two months since, the needlework mission has been repeated and expanded. After a
while, as families lost fear, operations were shifted into St. John’s
cafeteria, easing work for the hospital and for Rotarian helpers.
Other
organizations throughout the country have started similar projects. More than 80
per cent of pre-schoolers now get five of the six recommended immunizations.
Donna Shalala, Health and Human Service Secretary, told newspapers ,
“We have seen a breathtaking decline in most vaccine-preventable diseases.”
But
the job never ends. “Each day 11,000 babies are born, and their immunization
coverage starts at zero,” says the director of the Center for Disease
Control’s immunization program.
In Santa Monica, we help give shots to as many as 100 children and serve about 50 families at each bi-monthly session in the course of about two hours. We did it again on Saturday morning, August 25th.
Below are shown a few pictures of the Rotary Contingency that helped our youth. You too can make a difference, please check "The Calendar of Events" Section often for information about the next clinic.
By Keith Monroe
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Jim Reidy and his wife Virginia, Ann Greenspun and Hal Quigley are standing by the Rotary "gas tank" that inflates balloons which are then given to children. Youngsters enjoy picking just the right color, in addition to decorating their own Band-Aids. |
| Jim again shown with Monika White and husband Roger Goodman, who displayed his magic card playing tricks to the anxious ones waiting in line. After that, the Whites were off to a Rotary party for the Japanese students who participated in the Rotary International Exchange...what a couple! |
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